Bexar County, TX — October 20, 2024, a man was injured in a pedestrian versus hit-and-run car accident at about 11:15 p.m. along Laredo Street.

According to authorities, a 46-year-old man was walking westbound on the sidewalk on the southbound side of Laredo Street in the vicinity of the St Agatha intersection when the accident took place.

The cause of the accident remains unclear. Officials indicate that, for as yet unknown reasons, the man was struck in the sidewalk by a vehicle that had apparently been traveling westbound on Laredo. The striking vehicle allegedly fled the scene, the person(s) inside failing to stop and render aid of any sort to the victim. The man reportedly suffered serious injuries due to the collision. Additional details pertaining to this incident—including the identity of the victim—are not available at this point in time.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When a pedestrian is struck while walking on the sidewalk and the driver leaves the scene, it raises immediate concerns—not just about accountability, but also about how and why the crash occurred in the first place. In my experience, particularly in cases like this one on Laredo Street in Bexar County, it’s critical to ask more than just who was involved. To truly understand what happened and whether it could have been prevented, there are three key questions that should be asked.

First, did the authorities conduct a detailed investigation of the roadway and surrounding conditions? A vehicle entering a sidewalk area suggests a serious departure from the intended travel lane, and it’s important to understand whether that was due to driver behavior, road design, or external obstacles. Investigators should assess whether there were adequate barriers separating the sidewalk from the road, whether the area was well lit, and whether signage or other cues might have prevented the vehicle from leaving the roadway. These details are essential in determining if environmental factors played a role.

Second, has anyone considered whether a mechanical failure or defect in the striking vehicle might have caused the vehicle to veer off the road? A failure in the steering system, brakes, or suspension could result in a vehicle leaving its lane and encroaching onto a sidewalk. While the decision to flee is a separate and serious matter, understanding how the crash happened may depend on recovering the vehicle and conducting a thorough forensic inspection. That kind of evaluation is only possible if the vehicle is located and preserved.

Lastly, has all potential electronic and video data been gathered to aid in identifying the vehicle and understanding the crash dynamics? Surveillance cameras from nearby homes or businesses may have captured the vehicle approaching or fleeing the scene. If the suspect vehicle is recovered, event data from its internal systems could offer information about speed, braking, and steering just before the impact. This kind of data is often crucial not only for understanding the crash, but for helping ensure it doesn’t happen again.

When a pedestrian is seriously injured on a sidewalk and the driver flees, there are clear signs of wrongdoing—but that’s only part of the story. Asking these questions is the least that can be done to ensure that those affected by this crash get the clarity and closure they deserve.