1 Killed in Car Accident on I-37 near Pleasanton, TX

Atascosa County, TX — February 21, 2025, one person was killed in a car accident at about 8:20 p.m. on southbound Interstate 37.

Authorities said a man was hit by a car while walking back to his car near U.S. Route 281.

The 52-year-old man, whose name has not been made public yet, died after being transported to an area hospital, according to authorities. It is not clear why he had left his car on the side of the road.

The driver who hit the man is cooperating with investigators, authorities said.

Authorities have not released any additional information at this time about the crash near Pleasanton. The accident is still under investigation.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

Whenever I hear about a fatal crash like this, my first thought is that the people affected deserve clear answers about what happened. That may seem straightforward, but in my experience, crash investigations often leave out key details that could explain why an accident occurred. To truly understand what led to this tragic event, three critical questions must be considered.

First, did authorities conduct a thorough investigation? When a pedestrian is struck on a highway, investigators typically focus on the pedestrian’s actions: why they were on the road, whether they were visible and if they were impaired. But it’s just as important to examine the driver’s actions and environmental factors. Did law enforcement analyze roadway lighting, sightlines or possible obstructions? Did they check whether the driver was speeding or distracted at the time? Without a detailed reconstruction of the crash, authorities may not get a complete picture of what led to the collision.

Second, has anyone looked into whether a vehicle defect contributed to the crash? While this may not seem like an obvious factor, mechanical failures such as brake malfunctions, headlight issues or tire blowouts could have played a role. If the vehicle didn’t respond as the driver intended, it could mean that an equipment failure — not just human error — was involved. Unfortunately, vehicle defects often go undiagnosed because once a crash happens, most people assume they know why it occurred without investigating further.

Finally, has all the electronic data related to the crash been collected? In modern vehicles, data from the engine control module (black box) can reveal crucial details like speed, braking, and steering inputs before the impact. Surveillance footage from nearby businesses or traffic cameras could provide additional context about what happened leading up to the crash. And in cases like this, cell phone records are especially important — both from the pedestrian and the driver — to determine if distractions played a role or if the pedestrian had tried to call for help before the accident.

At the end of the day, the goal of any crash investigation should be to answer all the questions of those affected. A life was lost, and the least that can be done is to ensure that the full truth is uncovered. The only way to do that is by making sure every possible piece of evidence is examined.