Livingston, TX — January 9, 2026, Jacob Charlie lost his life due to a pedestrian versus pickup truck accident just after 9:00 p.m. on S.H. 146.

According to authorities, 26-year-old Livingston man Jacob Charlie was on foot in the vicinity southeast of the S.H. 146 and Old Tramm Road intersection when the accident took place.

Officials indicate that, for reasons yet to be confirmed, Charlie was struck by a southbound Chevrolet Colorado pickup truck. He reportedly sustained fatal injuries due to the collision and was 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 someone loses their life walking near a highway, it’s easy for people to jump to conclusions about blame. But crashes like this often come down to things that aren’t visible at first glance. The real question is whether the investigation asked the right questions—and followed the evidence where it led.

Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash?

After any fatal pedestrian crash, it's critical that law enforcement goes beyond basic scene photos and a few witness statements. Did they determine how fast the pickup was traveling? Did they reconstruct the moments leading up to impact? Some officers are well-trained in these tasks; others may overlook key steps, especially if they assume the pedestrian caused the incident without verifying. Thorough work matters when lives—and accountability—are on the line.

Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash?

Most folks don't think to question the vehicle itself, but when a driver says they couldn’t avoid someone, it’s worth asking if their brakes or steering system worked properly. Something as routine as a worn sensor or delayed brake response could be a factor, particularly at night. These things don’t leave obvious clues at the scene, which is why a mechanical inspection should be part of the process.

Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected?

A modern pickup like a Chevrolet Colorado can record speed, braking, steering input, and more. That data can confirm—or contradict—what the driver claims happened. Additionally, nearby surveillance footage, dash cams, or even phone records could help piece together a clearer timeline. Without that digital evidence, the picture remains incomplete.

There’s no undoing what happened, but that doesn’t mean we stop asking hard questions. Understanding exactly how and why a crash occurred is the only way to make sure the facts—not assumptions—guide what comes next.

• A proper crash investigation should go beyond the surface and document vehicle speed, driver behavior, and pre-crash dynamics.
• Vehicle defects, even subtle ones, can sometimes explain why a driver couldn't avoid hitting someone.
• Crash data and nearby video footage may hold the key to understanding what really happened.