Yesterday, on westbound Interstate 20 at Spur 408 in Dallas, it turned deadly when a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle and later died from their injuries, according to law enforcement. Traffic deputies reported that the right lane was blocked while investigators worked the scene and directed motorists away from the area. Authorities said the driver who hit the pedestrian was arrested on suspicion of intoxication manslaughter.
Per the Dallas Sheriff's Office on X, deputies first posted a traffic alert around 4:15 p.m. stating that a pedestrian had been struck on westbound I-20 at Spur 408 and that the right lane was blocked. The office later updated the post to say the pedestrian had died from their injuries and that the driver had been arrested for intoxication manslaughter.
Traffic Alert: W/B I-20 at Spur 408, a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle. The right lane is blocked at this time. Inv is ongoing at 4:15pm.
— Dallas Sheriff’s Office (@Dallas_Sheriff) March 18, 2026
Update: due to the injuries the pedestrian has died. Driver that struck him was arrested for intoxication manslaughter. 5:30pm pic.twitter.com/dXYNmUQNmt
Investigation and Arrest
The sheriff's post did not release the names of either the victim or the driver. The update read, per the Dallas Sheriff’s Office, "Update: due to the injuries the pedestrian has died," and stated that the driver was arrested on suspicion of intoxication manslaughter. Deputies remained on scene as they documented evidence and worked to clear the roadway.
Legal Context
Intoxication manslaughter is outlined in Texas law under Penal Code 49.08. The statute makes it a felony to operate a vehicle while intoxicated and, by reason of that intoxication, cause another person's death. The offense is typically a second-degree felony, punishable by two to 20 years in prison, with possible enhancements that can increase penalties in certain cases.
Pedestrian Safety in Dallas
Pedestrian deaths have been a persistent problem in Dallas in recent years. A city work group has labeled Dallas one of the most dangerous cities in Texas for pedestrian fatalities, based on Vision Zero and TxDOT crash data, as reported by The Dallas Morning News. In response, city and state officials have pushed Vision Zero measures and targeted safety projects on high-risk corridors in an effort to curb those deaths.
The sheriff's office has not yet publicly released the names of the victim or the person arrested. Officials may provide additional details in a later statement. This story will be updated if more information becomes available from law enforcement or county records.
