Walker County, TX — April 11, 2025, a pedestrian was killed in a car accident at about 8:50 p.m. on U.S. Route 190 east of Huntsville.

A preliminary accident report indicates a 2002 Ford F-150 hauling a trailer was headed east when it hit a pedestrian near Forest Service Road 207.

The pedestrian, a 52-year-old man whose name has not been made public at this time, died at the scene of the crash, according to the report.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the Walker County crash.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When I read about a crash like this, my first thought is that I hope investigators are doing everything possible to give the pedestrian’s family a clear and complete account of what happened. A person losing their life after being struck by a vehicle demands a careful, fact-driven investigation. To truly understand what happened on U.S. 190, we need to ask three critical questions.

First, did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash? In any pedestrian collision, especially one that occurs at night and in an area without sidewalks or marked crossings, it’s essential to determine both where the pedestrian was located and whether the driver had a reasonable opportunity to see and avoid them. Was the roadway adequately lit? Were there obstructions, curves or environmental factors like glare or weather that may have impaired visibility? Investigators should also consider whether there were safe crossing points nearby or if the pedestrian was walking along the shoulder, which is often the only option in rural areas.

Second, has anyone considered whether a vehicle defect may have played a role? The 2002 Ford F-150 is over two decades old, and vehicles of that age are more prone to mechanical issues. Were the headlights functioning properly and correctly aimed? Did the brakes respond as expected? Was the trailer properly lit and equipped, and could it have affected the truck’s ability to maneuver or stop? These are critical questions, particularly if the driver did not react until the point of impact. A full mechanical inspection should be conducted before the vehicle is repaired or discarded.

Finally, has all the electronic and digital data related to the crash been collected? While the Ford may have limited data recording capabilities due to its age, it could still contain basic diagnostic information. More importantly, nearby surveillance footage — whether from traffic cameras businesses, or homes — could shed light on the moments before the crash. If the pedestrian had a phone or wearable device, GPS and motion data might help reconstruct their movements and clarify their location at the time. This evidence must be secured quickly before it is lost or overwritten.

Crashes involving pedestrians on rural highways are too often dismissed as unavoidable. But a thorough investigation must examine not only where the pedestrian was, but whether the driver had the tools and visibility to avoid the crash, and whether the roadway itself was designed to safely accommodate all users. A man lost his life, and the community owes it to him and his family to uncover the full truth about how and why it happened. Only then can there be any real accountability or lessons learned.