Houston, TX — May 5, 2025, Bert Robinson was killed in a car accident at about 10 p.m. in the 6700 block of Airline Drive.

Authorities said a man in a wheelchair was crossing the street when he was hit by a southbound 2024 Chevrolet Tahoe.

Bert Robinson Killed in Car Accident in Houston, TX

The man, 58-year-old Bert Robinson, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, according to authorities.

The driver of the Tahoe, who called 911 after the collision, is not facing any charges, authorities said.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the Harris County crash.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

After a crash like this, I think most people have plenty of questions. However, some questions tend to be overlooked by crash investigators. When someone is hit and killed in a situation as serious as this one, people naturally want to know how it could have happened. But the answers often depend on whether the right questions were asked in the first place.

First, did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash? A pedestrian fatality, especially one involving a person in a wheelchair, demands careful scene analysis. Factors like lighting, crosswalk visibility, signage, traffic flow and the timing of signals can all play a role. It’s not just about whether someone crossed the road; it’s about whether they had a fair chance to do so safely. Too often, the initial response focuses narrowly on the pedestrian’s actions without fully exploring the driver’s behavior or the roadway environment. Were there skid marks suggesting the driver braked? Did the layout of the road make it difficult to see someone in a wheelchair crossing at night? These are the kinds of details that need to be reviewed before any conclusions are drawn.

Next, has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash? A 2024 Chevrolet Tahoe is a newer model, and while we usually assume newer cars work as they should, that’s not always the case. Brake failures, headlight malfunctions, sensor errors or other technical issues could make it harder to see or stop in time for a pedestrian, especially one lower to the ground, like someone in a wheelchair. Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) are meant to help prevent accidents, but they’re not perfect. If the Tahoe was supposed to warn the driver or apply the brakes automatically, was it functioning correctly? It’s rare for police reports to dive into these technical questions unless someone pushes for it.

Finally, has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected? Modern vehicles store an enormous amount of crash-related data, from speed and braking patterns to steering input and seatbelt usage. Many also log whether systems like pedestrian detection or automatic braking were active at the time. If investigators haven’t pulled this data, they’re missing a key piece of the puzzle. In a case like this, where visibility and timing might have been tight, knowing exactly how the driver reacted, and how the vehicle responded, can change the understanding of what really happened.

When we ask these questions, we’re not pointing fingers. We’re trying to get the full picture. Because every crash is more than just a moment in time; it’s a chain of events, decisions and possibly malfunctions that deserve a closer look. And only by digging into these details can those affected begin to understand what happened and why.


Key Takeaways:

  • A full crash investigation should consider lighting, road design and visibility issues, not just the pedestrian’s location.
  • New vehicles can fail too; checking for defects or malfunctioning safety systems is crucial.
  • Electronic vehicle data often holds the clearest answers about driver actions and system performance.

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