Update (December 18, 2025): Authorities have identified the alleged driver involved in this accident. She has been charged with failure to stop and render aid after an accident involving death.

Houston, TX — August 21, 2025, Darla Wiley was killed in a hit-and-run accident at about 8 p.m. in the 900 block of Richmond Avenue.

Authorities said a pedestrian was hit by an unknown eastbound vehicle, which did not stop after the collision.

Pedestrian Darla Wiley, 50, died after being transported to a local hospital, according to authorities.

Witnesses helped police identify the vehicle that hit Darla Wiley: a blue Mercedes-Benz EQE 350. The driver was not in the vehicle when police found it in a parking lot in the 2900 block of South Shepherd Drive, authorities said.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the Harris County crash at this time.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When someone is suddenly lost to a traffic incident, it leaves behind more questions than answers. Moments like these remind us that accountability on the road doesn’t end when a driver leaves the scene. A deeper look at what happened isn’t just a formality. It’s a matter of principle.

Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash? A hit-and-run leaves a chaotic scene behind, and it's critical that investigators commit the time and expertise needed to make sense of it. The fact that a suspect vehicle was located suggests some effort has been made, but it’s not yet clear whether investigators reconstructed the crash path, checked nearby surveillance footage beyond the discovery site or explored the driver’s actions before the impact. Given that not all officers receive specialized crash training, key details can sometimes be missed, especially when the pedestrian’s final moments are only partially captured.

Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash? Even in cases where a driver leaves the scene, the vehicle itself might hold critical answers. A luxury EV like the EQE 350 comes loaded with advanced driver assistance features. If any of those systems failed, like collision alerts or automated emergency braking, it would be important to know. Without a full mechanical inspection, it’s impossible to rule out whether something went wrong inside the car that contributed to the tragedy.

Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected? Modern vehicles, especially electric ones, generate a detailed digital record of driver behavior. It matters whether the car showed signs of braking, if a warning was issued or if any systems were manually disabled. On top of that, phone data, nearby cameras and vehicle GPS might all paint a fuller picture. It’s essential to ask: has this data been collected, and has anyone really looked at what it shows?

Until every angle is explored, we risk confusing closure with completion. There’s a difference, and that difference is found in the diligence of the follow-through.

Key Takeaways:

• Investigators need to dig deeper than just identifying the vehicle. What happened at the moment of impact matters.
• Even luxury vehicles can fail; the car itself should be fully inspected for defects.
• Electronic data from the vehicle and surrounding area may hold the clearest story of what led to the crash.