A 68-year-old man died yesterday after he was struck while trying to cross South Cooper Street near Lovers Lane in Arlington, police said. Officers arrived to find him lying unresponsive in the roadway, and he was taken to a hospital, where he later died. The driver of a 2015 Toyota Avalon stayed at the scene and cooperated with investigators. According to police, the man was not in a crosswalk and was not wearing bright or reflective clothing at the time he was hit.
As reported by WFAA, Arlington officers were called to the intersection of S. Cooper St. and Lovers Lane after a motorist reported the crash. The driver told police he did not see the man before the collision. Detectives are continuing their on-scene investigation, and the department said the driver is not currently facing criminal charges. Police have not yet released the victim’s name, pending notification of his family.
Cooper Street's Safety Record
Cooper Street is part of a city-identified high-injury network and has already been on Arlington’s radar after a series of serious crashes, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. The Star-Telegram reports that city officials have ramped up traffic stops and targeted enforcement at key intersections along the corridor. The city has also expanded its use of intersection-monitoring technology such as NoTraffic as part of broader Safe Streets efforts to pinpoint problem areas and cut down on fatalities, per the City of Arlington.
Police Urge Caution
Arlington police are using the crash as another reminder for people to cross only at marked crosswalks or traffic signals, particularly on busy arterials and at night, and urged both drivers and pedestrians to stay alert, according to WFAA. Investigators said the case remains active and that they plan to review any available video and witness statements.
Police said the Tarrant County Medical Examiner will release the victim’s identity once next of kin have been notified. As Arlington detectives sort through the details of the crash, city officials are again pointing to Cooper Street and similar major routes as stubborn safety challenges that still need work.
