Johnny 'Luscious' Valiant, Hall of Fame Wrestler, Killed by Truck

Johnny "Luscious" Valiant, a WWE Hall of Fame wrestler, was killed by a truck early Wednesday morning while he tried to cross a busy road in Pennsylvania without using a crosswalk.

Valiant, whose real name was Thomas Sullivan, 71, was hit before dawn in Ross Township, WPXI-TV reported. He taken to Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh where he was pronounced dead, PennLive.com reported.

"The driver of the truck stayed here on the scene," Ross Township Police Department detective Brian Kohlhepp told WPXI-TV. "There's no indication that this was anything other than a terrible accident at this point, but we're still investigating."

World Wrestling Entertainment issued a statement about Sullivan's passing Wednesday, saying he started his wrestling career in Detroit in 1969 where he worked with Ed Farhat, best known in WWE circles as The Sheik.

Under the management of Captain Lou Albano, he won world tag team championships with his partner "Gentleman" Jerry Valiant in 1979, WWE said. Sullivan would become a manager himself and returned to WWE in 1985 to lead Greg "The Hammer" Valentine and Brutus Beefcake to a world tag team title as well, per WWE.

In 1996, Sullivan was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.

Fellow wrestlers and fan shared their condolences on social media.

R.I.P Luscious Johnny Valiant....Always kind to me and very helpful early in my career.

— Luke Gallows (@LukeGallowsWWE) April 5, 2018

Saddened to learn of the death of "Luscious" Johnny Valiant. He was so talented, so witty and vastly under rated. Rest In Peace Johnny.

— Brian Heffron aka The Blue Meanie (@BlueMeanieBWO) April 5, 2018

We were saddened to hear of his passing.

Our thoughts are with the family, friends and fans of “Luscious” Johnny Valiant. pic.twitter.com/syOA0OiuCa

— Something to Wrestle with Bruce Prichard (@PrichardShow) April 5, 2018

Saddened to hear the news of Johnny Valiant's passing. Johnny (real name Tom Sullivan) was a top act during the '70s with storyline brothers Jimmy and Jerry in the old WWWF. A funny and entertaining guy, and WWE Hall of Famer, who will be missed. pic.twitter.com/MFHt51O63p

— Mike Mooneyham (@ByMikeMooneyham) April 5, 2018

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