Harris County, TX — December 13, 2025, Deanna Prince lost her life due to a pedestrian versus car accident at about 9:15 p.m. along Westheimer Road.

According to authorities, 52-year-old Deanna Prince was on foot in the vicinity east of the Westheimer Road and Walnut Bend Lane intersection when the accident took place.

Officials indicate that, for reasons yet to be confirmed, Prince was struck by an eastbound Nissan Rogue. Prince, who had suffered fatal injuries as a result of the collision, was reportedly declared deceased at the scene.

Additional details pertaining to this incident are not available at this point in time. The investigation is currently ongoing.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When a pedestrian is struck and killed on a major thoroughfare like Westheimer Road, it’s often assumed the incident was unavoidable. But assumptions don’t answer the critical questions that need to be asked—especially when someone lost their life.

1. Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash?
In pedestrian collisions, the exact position of the person in the road, the speed of the vehicle, and the driver’s actions in the moments before impact are crucial. Investigators should have documented the full scene: lighting conditions, vehicle damage, final rest positions, and any physical evidence like skid marks or debris patterns. If surveillance footage or traffic cameras are present in the area, they should have been reviewed to confirm what happened. Without that effort, conclusions may rest on incomplete facts.

2. Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash?
Drivers often say they didn’t see the pedestrian—but that shouldn’t be the end of the inquiry. A malfunction in the headlights, automatic braking systems, or pedestrian detection technology (if equipped) could be relevant here. If the Nissan Rogue wasn’t inspected for such issues, a systems failure may go unrecognized and unaddressed.

3. Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected?
Modern vehicles log data about speed, braking, and steering input in the moments leading up to a crash. That data can help determine whether the driver made any effort to avoid hitting the pedestrian—or whether the vehicle failed to respond. Investigators should also review phone records and any video footage from businesses or residences nearby. These digital records may offer the only clear account of what led up to the impact.

In any pedestrian fatality, understanding how the crash unfolded and whether it could have been avoided is not just important—it’s necessary. That kind of clarity only comes from digging into the facts, not accepting assumptions.

Takeaways:

• A full scene investigation should confirm vehicle speed, pedestrian location, and driver response.
• Vehicle systems like headlights and pedestrian alerts should be inspected for defects or malfunctions.
• Digital data and surveillance footage may reveal whether the crash could have been prevented.