Yesterday on Interstate 35 in Denton, it turned deadly when a pedestrian attempting to cross the northbound lanes was struck and killed, police said. Officers were called around 10:40 p.m., and the person was pronounced dead at the scene just north of U.S. 380. All northbound lanes were shut down while investigators worked the crash scene, snarling late-night traffic in the area.
What Denton police said
According to The Dallas Morning News, the pedestrian was walking east to west across the main lanes when a vehicle in the left lane hit them. The outlet reported that the Tarrant County Medical Examiner's Office will release the person's identity once family members are notified.
The driver stayed at the scene and cooperated with officers, and police said the investigation is ongoing, according to Yahoo News.
Road closure and traffic alert
Authorities issued a traffic alert late Monday night that all northbound lanes of I-35 at West University Drive were closed while emergency crews responded, backing up traffic on nearby roads, according to Yahoo News. The outlet also reported that the driver remained at the scene and that the investigation was still underway.
Pedestrian safety in North Texas
Pedestrian deaths remain a serious concern in North Texas. The North Central Texas Council of Governments recorded 173 pedestrian fatalities across the region in 2024. Statewide preliminary data also shows hundreds of pedestrian deaths in 2024, underscoring the risks for people walking along high-speed corridors, per the North Central Texas Council of Governments and the Governors Highway Safety Association.
Investigation ongoing
Denton police say the investigation remains open as they work to determine what led up to the crash, according to Yahoo News. Officials confirmed the driver cooperated with investigators, per Yahoo News, and that the Tarrant County Medical Examiner will release the victim's identity after family notification, according to The Dallas Morning News.
