Dallas County, TX — August 24, 2024, a pedestrian was injured due to a hit-and-run car accident at approximately 12:30 a.m. along Elsi Faye Heggins Street.

According to authorities, a 54-year-old man was on foot in the vicinity of the Elsi Faye Heggins Street and S.H. 310 intersection when the accident took place.

Officials indicate that, for as yet unknown reasons, the pedestrian was struck by a vehicle of unknown make or model. The vehicle allegedly fled the scene, the person(s) inside failing to stop and render aid of any sort to the victim.

The man reportedly sustained serious injuries as a result of the collision; he was transported to a local medical facility by EMS in order to receive necessary treatment. Additional details pertaining to this incident—including the identity of the victim—are not available at this point in time. The investigation is currently ongoing.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When someone on foot is struck in the early morning hours and the driver flees, what’s missing isn’t just accountability—it’s often the critical facts needed to understand how the crash happened in the first place. A hit-and-run like this one deserves more than a search for the driver. It requires a full investigation into the conditions and decisions that led up to the impact.

Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash?
In any hit-and-run, especially at night, investigators must act quickly to secure the scene and gather evidence before it disappears. Did they recover any vehicle debris, paint transfer, or markings that might identify the vehicle? Were nearby businesses or homes canvassed for surveillance footage? In cases where a vehicle is unknown, early scene work is the only chance to uncover physical clues before they’re lost.

Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash?
If the suspect vehicle is eventually found, it’s important to go beyond matching it to the damage. A full inspection should determine whether any mechanical issues—brake failure, lighting problems, or sensor malfunctions—may have contributed. These factors don’t excuse leaving the scene, but they do provide context for how and why the collision may have occurred. Without that inspection, part of the picture remains missing.

Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected?
Before the vehicle is even located, surrounding video footage may be the best lead. Did nearby traffic cameras or residential security systems capture the vehicle’s direction, speed, or identifying features? If the vehicle is found later, onboard data may show the driver’s speed, braking, and steering input—valuable information that can confirm or challenge initial assumptions. In hit-and-run cases, this data often becomes the only way to verify exactly what occurred.

A serious injury and a driver who flees the scene is never just a simple story. It’s a case that demands full attention—to the evidence, to the vehicle, and to the truth of what led to someone being left behind.

3 Key Takeaways:

• Prompt scene investigation is essential in hit-and-run cases to collect physical and video evidence before it disappears.
• If the vehicle is recovered, mechanical inspections can reveal whether system failures played a role in the crash.
• Vehicle telemetry and nearby cameras are key to reconstructing the event and identifying the vehicle involved.