Houston, TX — April 30, 2025, Frederick Steward was killed in a hit-and-run accident at about 2:30 a.m. in the 7400 block of Southwest Freeway/Interstate 69.
Authorities said a gray Honda Accord struck a pedestrian who was walking north in the southbound lanes of the highway.
The car reportedly swerved in an attempt to avoid the collision, but it did not stop after hitting the pedestrian, according to authorities.
Pedestrian Frederick Montrell Steward, 52, of Lufkin was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, authorities said.
Authorities have not released any additional information about the Harris County crash at this time.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
When I read about a crash like this, my first thought is that I hope investigators are doing everything they can to locate the driver involved and determine exactly what led to this fatal incident. A pedestrian being struck and killed on a major highway in a hit-and-run scenario raises numerous questions, not only about the actions of the driver, but also about road safety, visibility and the timing of the response. To fully understand what happened in the 7400 block of Southwest Freeway, we need to ask three critical questions.
First, did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash? In any hit-and-run, early evidence collection is essential. Investigators should secure any available traffic or surveillance camera footage, canvass the area for witnesses and examine physical evidence at the scene, such as debris, paint transfer or tire marks. Even if the pedestrian was in the roadway under unusual circumstances, the fact that the driver left the scene demands a serious effort to identify and locate that individual. The community deserves to know whether this was a preventable loss of life.
Second, has anyone considered whether a vehicle defect or other contributing factor influenced the driver’s ability to avoid the crash, or made the aftermath worse? If and when the Honda Accord is located, it should be examined for any defects in the braking or steering systems that could have affected the driver’s response. Investigators should also assess how the lighting and roadway layout may have influenced visibility. Was the pedestrian visible from a distance? Were streetlights functioning, and was the driver’s path clear prior to the moment of impact? These questions are essential to understanding the window the driver had to react.
Finally, has all the digital and electronic data related to the crash been collected? If the Honda Accord is found, its engine control module can provide information about speed, throttle and brake usage in the seconds before impact. Surveillance footage from traffic cameras or nearby businesses may show the vehicle’s movement and behavior both before and after the crash. Additionally, if the pedestrian had a mobile device, GPS data might clarify his position and path prior to the collision. This type of data is highly time-sensitive and must be preserved promptly.
Hit-and-run crashes, especially those involving a fatality, represent a failure not only of safe driving but of basic human responsibility. A man lost his life, and the community cannot begin to move forward until investigators determine whether his death was avoidable, and whether the person who struck him can be held accountable. That process begins with asking the right questions and securing every piece of relevant evidence.
