A pre-dawn hit-and-run on Fort Worth's East Freeway left a pedestrian dead early yesterday, and police say the driver never stopped.
The collision happened in the eastbound lanes near the 8300 block of East Freeway at about 5 a.m., according to Fort Worth police. Detectives have opened a fatality investigation and are asking the public for help finding the vehicle and driver involved.
Police: Fatal Collision Near 8300 East Freeway
In a Fort Worth Police Department post, investigators said the crash is recorded under report number 260038615 and confirmed that the pedestrian died from injuries at the scene. The wreck took place on the eastbound side of East Freeway near the 8300 block at roughly 5 a.m. yesterday.
Police said they have no suspect or vehicle description yet and are working to track down leads. At this point, the social media post is the main set of details the department has released publicly.
Why So Many Deadly Hit-and-Runs Happen Overnight
Hit-and-run crashes that kill people on foot have been climbing across the country, and they tend to spike at night and in the early-morning hours. A research brief from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that hit-and-run deaths have reached record levels and that pedestrians and cyclists are especially at risk.
The study notes that the Dallas-Fort Worth area sees a larger share of fatal hit-and-run crashes involving pedestrians than many other metro regions, which lines up grimly with the timing and circumstances of this East Freeway case.
What Leaving the Scene Can Mean Under Texas Law
State law is clear about what drivers must do when a crash causes a death. Under the Texas Transportation Code, a driver involved in a deadly collision is required to stop, return to the scene, and provide aid. Walking or driving away is not just callous, it is a crime.
Leaving the scene of a crash that results in death is classified as a second-degree felony and can carry a prison sentence. Prosecutors can also seek additional counts, such as intoxication-related charges, if the evidence supports them.
How to Share Tips With Investigators
Detectives are urging anyone who might have seen something on East Freeway around 5 a.m. yesterday, or those who may have captured video in the area, to come forward. Tipsters are asked to call TIU Detective Montalvo at 817-392-4888 and reference report number 260038615, according to the Fort Worth Police Department post.
Investigators say that even small pieces of information, such as a possible vehicle make or color, a partial license plate, or a direction of travel, could help identify the driver who left the scene.
