A nighttime walk along the west frontage road of North Central Expressway in Richardson ended in tragedy on Monday, when a pedestrian was struck by multiple vehicles and killed, police said.
Officers were called about 9:44 p.m. to the 2400 block of the west frontage road, where they found the person unresponsive in the left lane. The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators say the individual was first hit by one vehicle while walking in the left lane and then struck again by a different vehicle.
According to The Dallas Morning News, both drivers involved stayed at the scene. Police have not released the victim's identity. The Richardson Police Department said its Special Crash Investigation Team is handling the case and that the investigation is still underway. No additional details about the vehicles or the circumstances have been made public.
Special crash unit leads probe
The Richardson Police Department's Special Crash Investigation Team has officially taken the lead on the investigation, the City of Richardson reports. That unit is routinely assigned to high-severity collisions along U.S. 75 and other major corridors and handles forensic reconstruction work along with witness interviews in more complex crashes. Authorities have declined to share further information while detectives continue their probe.
Safety concerns on North Central Expressway
Pedestrian deaths remain a stubborn concern across North Texas, and the North Central Expressway is no exception. Data from the North Central Texas Council of Governments show a steady number of traffic fatalities on major arterials in the region. In response, state officials have promoted highway-safety grants and enforcement efforts aimed at cutting down on pedestrian deaths.
The Texas Department of Transportation has also highlighted funding and safety programs targeted at busy roadways, including improvements such as better lighting, stepped-up enforcement, and upgraded pedestrian infrastructure along high-traffic corridors.
Richardson police are asking anyone who witnessed Monday night's crash or who may have video of the incident to contact the department. The City of Richardson's online news pages outline how to submit tips and provide updates on major investigations. The police department's general contact information and press releases are available on the city's website, and detectives are urging potential witnesses to come forward while the case remains open.
