Update (November 4, 2025): Authorities have identified the people killed in this crash as Sterlistick Johnson, 38, and Leslie Sykes, 50.

Houston, TX — October 22, 2025, two people were killed in a hit-and-run accident at about 3:30 a.m. in the 8900 block of Cullen Boulevard.

Authorities said two women were fighting in the street when they were hit by a red sedan, which did not stop after the crash.

Both women died from injuries suffered in the crash, according to authorities. Their names have not been made public yet.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the Harris County crash at this time. The accident is still under investigation.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When tragedy strikes under the cover of night, it often leaves more questions than answers. The early morning hours can cloud visibility, but they can also cloud accountability, especially when the driver responsible chooses flight over responsibility. In the wake of such events, it’s important to consider whether every angle of the investigation is being pursued with the urgency and depth it demands.

Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash? Hit-and-run crashes present a uniquely difficult challenge for investigators, especially in the early hours before traffic picks up and evidence begins to degrade. It's not enough to just secure the scene and take measurements; this situation demands a meticulous reconstruction. Investigators need to determine exactly how the victims ended up in the path of the vehicle, map the likely trajectory of the car and evaluate nearby security or traffic cameras that could reveal its route. That level of work takes time and resources. Something not all departments have in equal measure. Whether that kind of deep dive is happening here remains unclear.

Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash? Even in a hit-and-run, it’s worth considering whether something about the vehicle’s operation played a role. Could the driver have lost control due to a brake failure or acceleration issue? Was there a malfunction in a pedestrian detection system, assuming the vehicle was equipped with one? Without recovering the vehicle, there’s no way to know. But if and when that red sedan is found, the mechanical integrity of the car should be inspected just as thoroughly as the driver’s behavior.

Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected? In a case like this, the digital trail may be the strongest one. Cameras from nearby businesses, city traffic monitors or even personal doorbells could hold vital clues. And once the suspect vehicle is located, its internal data — such as speed, braking or impact alerts — can fill in gaps about what happened in those critical moments. Even mobile phone records might help identify the driver or show whether they were distracted at the time. It’s a matter of whether investigators are chasing those leads aggressively.

When a driver hits someone and keeps going, it raises urgent questions, not just about accountability but about whether the system is equipped to bring clarity to chaotic scenes. Without digging into every detail, there’s a risk that crucial truths will slip through the cracks.

Key Takeaways:

• Investigators should reconstruct the scene fully to understand how the crash unfolded.
• If the hit-and-run vehicle is located, it must be checked for any mechanical failures.
• Digital evidence, from cameras to vehicle logs, can be key in finding out what really happened.