Cuero, TX — July 4, 2025, One person was killed following a car accident that occurred at around 8:24 A.M. on East Morgan Street.

According to reports, Ruth Killough was walking in the 300 block of East Morgan Street and was attempting to cross the street when she was struck by a vehicle.

When first responders arrived they found Killough critically injured with bystanders providing aid to her, however Killough succumbed to her injuries at the scene. No charges have been filed, and officials have not released an update on the investigation's status.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When a person is struck while crossing the street, especially in a location where pedestrians are expected, it's not enough to simply note the impact. The real question is whether the vehicle’s driver had the time, awareness, and equipment to avoid the collision—and whether anything was missed in the process of finding that out.

1. Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash?
Pedestrian collisions demand more than a brief incident report. Investigators should have reviewed the path of the vehicle, the speed at impact, and any signs of driver reaction—like braking or swerving. The driver’s actions in the seconds before the crash are just as important as what happened after. These details can only be captured through careful scene documentation, surveillance footage review, and a full understanding of how the collision unfolded. If those steps weren’t taken, the conclusions might rest on incomplete information.

2. Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash?
Even when a pedestrian appears to have entered the street unexpectedly, a malfunction in the vehicle could have affected the outcome. Brake failures, unresponsive steering, or faulty pedestrian detection systems could reduce a driver’s ability to avoid a crash. These types of failures don’t always leave visible evidence and require a thorough mechanical and electronic inspection of the vehicle to be identified—or ruled out.

3. Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected?
Many modern vehicles store data that can confirm whether the driver braked, swerved, or maintained speed leading up to the crash. That includes onboard computers, dash cameras, and GPS systems. Phone records may also help establish whether distraction played a role. If authorities didn’t secure this evidence early, it may no longer be available—leaving behind only assumptions in place of hard facts.

In any fatal pedestrian crash, the answers aren’t just in where the vehicle ended up—but in what was missed before impact. A real investigation should work to uncover every layer of that story.

Takeaways:

• Pedestrian collisions require detailed review of vehicle movement and driver reaction.
• Potential vehicle malfunctions—including braking or detection systems—must be inspected.
• Electronic and phone data can reveal the driver’s behavior and system performance before the crash.