Houston, TX — January 30, 2025, Matthews Caston Jr. was killed in a car accident at about 2:40 p.m. on the access road for eastbound Interstate 10/East Freeway.

Authorities said a pedestrian stepped into the service road in the 5300 block of the East Freeway when he was hit by a westbound 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup.

The pedestrian, Matthews Sims Caston Jr., 47, died after being transported to a nearby hospital, according to authorities.

The pickup driver, who was not injured, is not facing any charges related to the collision, according to a preliminary accident report.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the Harris County crash.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When someone dies in a roadway incident, it’s a clear signal that more questions need to be asked. Quick assumptions can leave critical information undiscovered, especially in cases where a person on foot is struck by a vehicle.

1. Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash? There’s no indication yet that investigators went beyond the basic steps. In pedestrian incidents, especially during daytime hours, understanding how the vehicle approached, whether the driver was alert and where the pedestrian was at each moment can require more than just a written report. It’s not uncommon for some departments to lack the training or tools needed for full-scale collision reconstruction, which can leave gaps in what’s documented.

2. Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash? With a 2009 pickup involved, it’s worth asking whether the vehicle was functioning properly. Brakes, steering systems and onboard safety alerts can all degrade over time. Even if nothing obvious was found at the scene, that doesn't rule out a defect. A close inspection could show whether the driver’s ability to react was limited by the condition of the truck itself.

3. Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected? Today’s vehicles may hold stored information about speed, braking, and steering input. Nearby traffic cameras or building surveillance could provide visual evidence of what happened just before impact. There’s also the possibility of checking mobile phone activity or GPS logs to confirm whether the driver was focused on the road. Without this kind of review, important context can go unexamined.

Asking more of these cases isn’t just a matter of process; it’s about ensuring that the full picture is seen and understood. Clear answers come from complete investigations, not assumptions.

Takeaways:

• A full crash reconstruction can highlight facts that basic reports miss.
• Older vehicles may have undetected mechanical issues.
• Camera footage and onboard data can show what really happened.