San Antonio, TX — January 4, 2025, Marie Cabotaje and David Stevens were killed in a car accident at about 4:45 a.m. on U.S. Highway 90 near Military Road.

Authorities said two pedestrians were trying to cross the highway when they were hit by an eastbound vehicle. One of them was hit by a second vehicle as well.

Marie Heiress Cabotaje, 40, and David Steven, 19, died at the scene of the crash, according to authorities.

Both drivers remained on the scene to talk to emergency personnel, authorities said. They are not expected to face any criminal charges.

The crash is still under investigation.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When reviewing an accident like this one, where two pedestrians were killed while trying to cross the highway, it is essential to consider all factors that might have contributed to this devastating outcome. Pedestrian fatalities on high-speed roadways raise critical questions about visibility, road design and driver actions. To better understand this incident, we should focus on three key areas: the thoroughness of the investigation, the potential role of vehicle defects and the collection of electronic data and other evidence.

First, the investigation must carefully analyze the conditions surrounding the crash. Crossing a highway at 4:45 a.m. likely presented significant risks, but it is crucial to understand why the pedestrians were in that location and what might have contributed to their decision to cross at that point. Was there a designated pedestrian crossing nearby, and if so, was it accessible? Were visibility conditions affected by poor lighting, weather or other environmental factors? Additionally, investigators should evaluate whether the drivers had sufficient time to see and react to the pedestrians. Witness statements, scene analysis and measurements such as skid marks or debris distribution will help clarify the events leading up to the crash.

Second, the potential for vehicle defects must be considered. Both vehicles involved should be inspected to confirm their systems, such as headlights and brakes, were functioning correctly. For example, were the headlights providing adequate illumination to detect pedestrians in the roadway? Did the braking systems operate as expected? If the vehicles were equipped with advanced safety features like pedestrian detection or automatic emergency braking, their performance should be evaluated to determine whether they activated appropriately. Preserving the vehicles for detailed examination is crucial to identifying any issues that might have contributed to the crash.

Finally, collecting and analyzing electronic data is essential to reconstructing the events of the collision. The engine control modules (ECMs) of both vehicles can provide information about their speeds, braking and steering inputs at the time of the crash. This data can help establish whether the drivers attempted to avoid the pedestrians and whether the vehicles behaved as expected. Additionally, surveillance footage from nearby traffic cameras or businesses might capture the pedestrians’ movements and the vehicles’ actions leading up to the impact, offering further context for the investigation.

Pedestrian crashes on highways are complex and often involve multiple contributing factors. By addressing these three areas, authorities can work toward a comprehensive understanding of what happened. This approach not only helps provide answers to the families affected but also informs measures that could prevent similar tragedies in the future, such as improved pedestrian infrastructure or enhanced vehicle safety technologies.