A North Dallas hit-and-run that unfolded just after midnight last Tuesday has now claimed a named victim: 62-year-old Theadus De Esting Gaines. Dallas police found Gaines shortly after 12:30 a.m. on the eastbound Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway service road near Coit Road, where he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Officers had been dispatched around 12:30 a.m. to the 8100 block of the LBJ Freeway service road near Coit. Investigators say a driver heading eastbound struck Gaines and kept going without stopping, according to The Dallas Morning News. No description of the driver or the vehicle had been released, and authorities reported no additional details about potential suspects.
Police search for driver and request tips
Investigators are still trying to track down the motorist and have not provided a suspect description. They are asking anyone who witnessed the crash or has video from the area to contact the police. The Dallas Police Department lists tip lines on its website, including a Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-877-373-TIPS and the department's public number, which can be used to share information anonymously, according to the Dallas Police Department.
Legal implications
Leaving the scene of a collision that results in death is a criminal offense under Texas law. Crashes that cause a fatality can be prosecuted as a second-degree felony under Texas Transportation Code §550.021. If detectives identify a driver in this case, prosecutors would weigh the evidence against the statute to decide whether to pursue felony charges.
Why this matters for Dallas traffic safety
High-speed service roads and frontage lanes are among the most dangerous places for people on foot, and they are a key focus of Dallas's broader traffic safety work. The city has adopted a Vision Zero Action Plan aimed at reducing traffic deaths through a mix of engineering changes, enforcement efforts and public education. City materials say redesigning streets and concentrating enforcement on the most crash-prone corridors are priorities under the Vision Zero strategy.
As investigators continue to work the case, the public is urged to share any information with Dallas police or Crime Stoppers. The Dallas Morning News first reported Gaines's identity.
