Houston, TX — May 18, 2025, a teen was injured in a hit-and-run accident at about 5 a.m. on the feeder road for Eastex Freeway/Interstate 69.

A preliminary accident report indicates that an unknown vehicle was heading south when it hit a pedestrian and kept driving.

The pedestrian, a 16-year-old boy, was seriously injured in the crash south of Bender Road, according to the report.

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

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When something like this happens, there’s always an early rush to gather the basics. But the surface facts rarely tell the full story. What matters most is whether anyone took the time to dig deeper and ask the right questions.

One question that should always be asked is whether authorities conducted a thorough crash investigation. In cases involving a pedestrian, it’s not enough to note the point of impact and move on. Did investigators map the scene in detail? Did they measure distances, document debris patterns and analyze the likely path of the vehicle? In hit-and-run cases, timing and direction matter. Skilled reconstruction work can help estimate speed, braking and even the type of vehicle involved. It also matters who handled the investigation. Some officers have advanced crash reconstruction training, while others may only handle the basics. A serious injury deserves more than a quick report.

Another important issue is whether anyone examined the possibility of a vehicle defect. Even when a driver leaves the scene, that doesn’t rule out mechanical failure as part of the chain of events. Was there a brake problem? A stuck accelerator? A malfunction in forward collision warning or automatic braking systems? Modern vehicles are complex machines. Sometimes a defect contributes to a crash in ways that aren’t obvious from a visual inspection. If the vehicle is eventually located, a full mechanical inspection should be part of the process.

Then there’s the question of electronic data. Today’s vehicles often record speed, throttle input and braking in the moments before a crash. That data can confirm whether a driver attempted to slow down or never reacted at all. Phones can reveal whether distraction played a role. Nearby cameras, GPS logs and other digital records can help piece together movements before and after impact. In hit-and-run cases, electronic evidence can make the difference between unanswered questions and clear accountability.

Crashes involving pedestrians demand careful attention because small details often hold the key to understanding what really happened. When investigators look beyond the surface — examining physical evidence, mechanical systems and electronic data — they move closer to the truth. Without that effort, important answers can slip away.

Key Takeaways:

• A serious crash requires detailed reconstruction, not just a basic report.
• Mechanical problems should be ruled out, especially if the vehicle is found.
• Electronic data from vehicles and phones can reveal what happened in the critical seconds before impact.