Update (January 12, 2025): Authorities have identified the pedestrian killed in this accident as Donna Michelle Hanson, 60. Police are searching for a dark-colored 1998-2000 BMW 323 after the hit-and-run accident.

Austin, TX — January 5, 2026, a pedestrian was killed in a hit-and-run accident at about 2 a.m. in the 900 block of East Koenig Lane.

A preliminary accident report indicates that an unknown vehicle hit a pedestrian near Clayton Lane and kept driving.

The pedestrian, a woman whose name has not been made public yet, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, according to the report.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the Travis County crash at this time. The accident is still under investigation.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

In the quiet early hours of the morning, the roads can feel deserted, almost still. But even in that stillness, one bad decision can have lasting consequences. When someone is left behind in a hit-and-run, there’s not just grief, but a troubling lack of answers. And without answers, there’s little hope of accountability.

Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash? With any hit-and-run, the first few hours are critical. Tire marks, vehicle debris, security footage, and eyewitness accounts can all fade quickly. What stands out here is the timing, 2 a.m., a window when fewer witnesses are around and visibility is limited. That puts even more pressure on investigators to carefully map out the scene, search for any fragments left behind and pull footage from surrounding businesses or homes before it's overwritten. Not all officers are trained the same way in handling these complex scenes, so it's fair to ask whether this crash was treated as the serious forensic challenge it is.

Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash? When a driver flees the scene, people naturally assume it’s a deliberate choice to avoid consequences. But there’s always the chance something went wrong with the vehicle, especially if the driver didn’t regain control or stop afterward. A stuck accelerator, braking issue or sensor failure could complicate how a vehicle responds in a moment of crisis. In hit-and-run situations, if the vehicle is ever located, a thorough mechanical inspection becomes essential to rule out, or confirm, unexpected malfunctions.

Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected? Data could make or break this investigation. Surrounding cameras, even if not right at the intersection, might have captured the vehicle in motion before or after the impact. If the suspect is eventually identified, their phone records, GPS data and in-vehicle telemetry could help establish their location and behavior leading up to the crash. Without this digital trail, it’s hard to distinguish between an intentional flight from justice and something else entirely.

We can’t rewind time, but we can demand better from our investigations. Every unanswered question leaves a gap in the truth, and in cases like this, the truth matters more than ever.

Key Takeaways:

• It's unclear if investigators gathered time-sensitive evidence like surveillance video or debris from the scene.
• If the vehicle is found, it must be checked for defects that could’ve caused or worsened the crash.
• Digital tools like GPS and camera footage are key to finding out what really happened.