Lincoln, NE — November 15, 2025, Kristine Hess lost her life due to a pedestrian versus tow truck accident shortly before 10:45 a.m. on 48th Street.

According to authorities, 61-year-old Kristine Hess was on foot crossing the road at the intersection of 48th Street and St. Paul Avenue when the accident took place. Officials indicate that, for as yet unknown reasons, Hess was struck by a westbound tow truck that had been attempting a left turn to head south from St. Paul Avenue onto North 48th Street. Hess reportedly sustained serious injuries due to the collision. 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 by a turning tow truck at an intersection, one question rises above all others: Did the driver see her—and if not, why not? Based on the available details, it appears the pedestrian was crossing the roadway while the tow truck was making a left-hand turn. That sets up a clear legal question of right-of-way and driver attentiveness.

Tow truck operators, like all commercial drivers, are held to a higher standard of caution—especially when making left turns across pedestrian paths. Intersections are known conflict points, and turning vehicles are required to yield to any pedestrian lawfully crossing the road. If Ms. Hess was already in the crosswalk or had a signal in her favor, then the burden falls squarely on the driver to have scanned the intersection and waited until the path was clear.

Even if there was no marked crosswalk, the law still generally requires drivers to yield to pedestrians in intersections, provided the crossing was made with reasonable care. The fact that this happened in the late morning—just before 10:45 a.m.—means lighting likely wasn’t a factor. That puts even more pressure on the question of whether the driver was simply inattentive, distracted, or rushed. In broad daylight, a pedestrian in an intersection should be clearly visible to any driver executing a turn.

Investigators will need to determine whether the tow truck was signaling properly, whether it paused before turning, and whether there were any obstructions that may have prevented the driver from seeing the pedestrian. If the vehicle had dash cam footage, or if traffic cameras were operating at the time, those could provide critical insight into how the turn was made and what the driver could realistically see.

This isn’t just about what the pedestrian did or didn’t do. It’s about whether a professional driver—trained to anticipate risks and protect vulnerable road users—took the appropriate precautions before making a turn in broad daylight.

Key Takeaways:

• Pedestrians generally have the right-of-way at intersections, especially when a vehicle is turning across their path.
• The incident occurred in daylight, so driver visibility should not have been compromised.
• Commercial drivers are held to higher standards and must exercise caution during turns, particularly in pedestrian-heavy areas.
• Video evidence and witness statements will be key to determining whether the driver acted with proper care.