R.I.P.: WVBE Radio Personality "DJ Big Dose" Was 45

Christopher Thorne

Christopher Thorne, a radio personality and promotions director at WVBB 97.7 FM / WVBE 610 AM in Roanoke, WVBE 100.1 FM in Lynchburg / The Vibe, was killed Friday in a vehicle collision in Panama, according to the station’s website.

He was 45.

Thorne, who also went by Nigel Christopher, hosted a midday show as “DJ Big Dose.” Born on May 29, 1969, in Brooklyn, New York, he became interested in radio after watching his cousins perform turntable tricks, according to his Facebook page.

In 1989, Thorne began working at a community radio station in Atlanta. He later worked at WBHH in Norfolk, which was the first East Coast all hip-hop station.

He joined The Vibe, which serves the Roanoke-Lynchburg market, on Oct. 22, 2012.