Beaumont, TX — April 13, 2025, Brandy Gail Buck was killed in a pedestrian versus SUV accident at approximately 9:15 p.m. along Major Drive.

According to authorities, Gail Buck was on foot on Major Drive in the vicinity south of State Highway 105 apparently retrieving her pet dog which had just been struck by a car when the accident took place.

Officials indicate that Buck was hit by a black SUV; she reportedly did not survive the collision. The person who had been inside the SUV stopped, according to reports, but did leave the scene for as yet unknown reasons. They were later located by authorities. Additional details pertaining to this incident are not available at this point in time. The investigation is currently ongoing.

Commentary

When a pedestrian is killed trying to retrieve a pet from the roadway, it’s easy to frame the incident as a heartbreaking but isolated moment of misjudgment. But in my experience, particularly with crashes like this one on Major Drive in Beaumont, these events often involve more than just bad timing. To understand what truly happened and whether this loss of life could have been avoided, there are three critical questions that should be asked.

First, did the authorities conduct a thorough investigation into the lighting and visibility conditions at the time of the crash? At 9:15 p.m., visibility can be limited, especially on multi-lane roads or those without adequate street lighting. Investigators should determine whether the area was well-lit, whether the driver had a reasonable opportunity to see someone entering the roadway, and whether any environmental conditions—like glare, shadows, or roadway layout—may have affected either party’s ability to react in time.

Second, has anyone examined whether a mechanical or systems failure in the SUV may have contributed to the crash or to the driver's departure from the scene? Questions about visibility go beyond lighting alone—were the headlights functioning properly? Did the brakes respond as expected? And given that the driver reportedly left the scene after initially stopping, it’s worth investigating whether a malfunction in the vehicle or impairment by the driver played a role in the decision to leave, however briefly. These are questions that can only be answered through a forensic review of the SUV.

Lastly, has all available electronic and video data been secured? A vehicle like the SUV involved likely contains an event data recorder that can shed light on speed, braking, and steering activity leading up to the crash. That data could be vital in determining whether the driver had time to react or if the vehicle itself failed to respond. Additionally, nearby surveillance footage from homes or businesses may offer a clearer picture of the moments leading up to the impact, including how visible the pedestrian was and how the SUV approached.

When someone loses their life under circumstances that raise more questions than answers, it’s essential to go beyond the assumption that the outcome was inevitable. Asking these questions is the least that can be done to ensure that those affected by this crash get the clarity and closure they deserve.