Dallas, TX — July 20, 2024, a pedestrian was injured in a hit-and-run accident at about 11:45 p.m. on the access road for the Marvin D. Love Freeway/U.S. Highway 67.

A preliminary accident report indicates that an unknown vehicle hit a pedestrian near the intersection with Cliff Creek Crossing Drive and continued driving.

The pedestrian, a 36-year-old Aubrey woman, was seriously injured in the crash, according to the report. Her name has not been made public.

The report does not include any additional information about the Dallas County crash.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

After something as devastating as a pedestrian being struck by a vehicle, it’s natural to wonder how such a thing could happen and what, if anything, can be done to prevent it from happening again. The late hour, the absence of an identified driver and the serious injuries all raise questions that go far deeper than just the moment of impact.

Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash? When a pedestrian is hurt and the driver flees the scene, the quality of the investigation becomes crucial. Ideally, officers would not only review physical evidence like skid marks or vehicle debris but also laser-map the scene, canvass nearby businesses for surveillance footage and work to reconstruct the vehicle’s path. Late-night crashes can often stretch thin law enforcement resources, especially on busy urban roads. In some cases, the scene might be cleared too quickly, or less-experienced personnel may handle a complex situation without the tools to fully assess what really occurred. A rushed or surface-level investigation leaves too much to speculation.

Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash? Even in hit-and-run cases, vehicle malfunction shouldn't be ruled out. A stuck throttle, steering failure or faulty pedestrian-detection system could play a role in a driver losing control or not reacting appropriately. Unfortunately, when a vehicle isn't found right away, these possibilities often go unexamined. But if and when the car is located, a full mechanical inspection becomes essential. It’s not always about what’s visible at the scene; sometimes it’s what’s happening under the hood or in the vehicle systems that matters most.

Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected? Electronic data can be a powerful tool in a case like this. Traffic cameras, vehicle GPS trackers and even phone location data may help piece together where the driver came from and where they went after the crash. For the pedestrian, any nearby surveillance systems might reveal whether the vehicle stopped at all or swerved to avoid impact. Without that digital trail, too much is left to assumption. In serious injury cases, there's no excuse for leaving that kind of evidence on the table.

When a crash leaves someone seriously hurt and the driver disappears into the night, the surface-level facts only tell part of the story. That’s why it’s critical to keep asking the right questions, because the answers might be hiding just out of view, waiting for someone to dig a little deeper.

Key Takeaways:

• Hit-and-run crashes demand more than just scene cleanup. They require deep, methodical investigation.
• Even unknown vehicles could have had defects that made the crash more likely.
• Digital tools like cameras and GPS can reveal what really happened when eyewitnesses can’t.