McAllen, TX — October 12, 2024, a pedestrian was injured in a car accident at about 10 p.m. on eastbound U.S. Route 83 Business.

A preliminary accident report indicates a 2015 Lexus NX was going through the intersection at Broadway Street when it hit a pedestrian who was walking south.

The pedestrian, a 63-year-old McAllen man whose name has not been made public, suffered serious injuries in the crash, according to the report.

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

Commentary

When I read about a crash like this, my first thought is that I hope the injured pedestrian and his family receive the answers they deserve. A pedestrian being hit while crossing an intersection, particularly one involving a major roadway like U.S. Route 83 Business, raises immediate questions about visibility, right-of-way and whether the collision could have been prevented. To fully understand what happened at the intersection of Broadway Street and Route 83, we need to ask three critical questions.

First, did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash? Intersections are complex environments where timing, signage and visibility all intersect, literally and figuratively. Was the pedestrian crossing in a marked crosswalk or at an unmarked crossing? Was the area well-lit, and were there functioning pedestrian signals or signage? Was the driver of the Lexus operating with a green light or making a turn? These are foundational details that can clarify who had the right-of-way and whether the driver had a reasonable opportunity to see and avoid the pedestrian. Without thorough scene documentation and, if available, surveillance footage or eyewitness accounts, those questions may go unanswered.

Second, has anyone considered whether a vehicle defect may have contributed to the crash? The 2015 Lexus NX should be examined for any failures in its lighting, braking or pedestrian detection systems. Were the headlights properly aligned and operational at the time of the crash? Did the vehicle’s advanced safety systems — like forward collision warnings or automatic emergency braking — activate appropriately? If those systems failed to alert the driver or assist in stopping the vehicle, that may point to a broader issue that needs to be addressed. A complete inspection is necessary before the vehicle is repaired or altered in any way.

Finally, has all the electronic data related to the crash been collected? The Lexus likely contains an engine control module that records pre-crash data such as speed, throttle position, brake input and steering angle. That data can help confirm how the vehicle was being operated in the seconds before the crash and whether the driver attempted to slow or swerve. Additionally, surveillance footage from nearby businesses or traffic cameras may have captured the moment of impact or the pedestrian’s movement before entering the crosswalk. If the pedestrian had a phone or wearable device, GPS or activity tracking data might also offer insight into his movements. All of this information must be secured promptly.

Crashes like this deserve a full and impartial investigation. A man suffered serious injuries while navigating a public intersection, and while early reports may imply that visibility was the issue, assumptions are not substitutes for evidence. By asking the right questions and securing both digital and physical evidence, we can provide a more complete picture of what happened, and ensure that everyone involved is treated fairly and responsibly. The community, and most importantly the injured pedestrian, deserves nothing less.