Dallas, TX — July 13, 2024, a pedestrian was injured in a hit-and-run accident at about 2:45 a.m. in the 6600 block of the Marvin D. Love Freeway service road.

A preliminary accident report indicates that an unknown vehicle was heading north when it hit a man who was working on his stalled vehicle.

The man, a 25-year-old Abilene resident, was seriously injured in the crash, according to the report.

The report does not include any additional information about the Dallas County crash.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When someone gets hurt on the side of the road, it’s easy to chalk it up to bad luck or being in the wrong place at the wrong time. But what often gets overlooked are the deeper questions that could explain how it really happened, and whether it could have been prevented. Especially in hit-and-run cases, the surface-level facts are rarely enough to get to the truth.

Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash? In a case like this, where a pedestrian was struck and the driver left the scene, the investigation has to go well beyond just documenting injuries and vehicle debris. A real effort means reconstructing how the crash unfolded: mapping the scene with precision tools, reviewing any skid marks or fluid trails and checking whether the driver made any attempt to avoid the pedestrian. Given that this happened late at night, it's also worth questioning whether investigators checked surveillance from nearby businesses or traffic cameras to track the fleeing vehicle. Not every department has the tools or training to do this kind of work thoroughly, which can leave big holes in the case.

Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash? Even though the driver fled, it’s still possible that a mechanical issue played a role. Maybe the brakes failed, or a steering issue made it hard to avoid the pedestrian. Of course, it’s also possible the driver panicked after hitting someone, but without finding the vehicle and giving it a proper inspection, we just don’t know. When cars disappear, that chance to ask the tough mechanical questions often disappears with them.

Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected? Hit-and-run cases are especially reliant on digital breadcrumbs. Was the driver’s phone in use at the time? Did any vehicle in the area have dashcam footage that caught part of the crash? Could GPS data help identify who was nearby at that hour? And for the man who was struck, what does his own phone or vehicle data say about where he was standing, or what he was doing before impact? These details can change the whole understanding of what happened, if anyone looks for them.

We talk about justice a lot, but in traffic cases, it usually starts with asking the questions nobody else has. That’s the only way to make sure people aren’t left with half the truth.

Key takeaways:

• Investigators need to go beyond the basics when a driver flees the scene.
• Mechanical problems can’t be ruled out without finding and inspecting the vehicle.
• Digital tools might hold the answers, but only if someone collects and reviews the data.