Update (June 10, 2025): Authorities have identified the man killed in this accident as 47-year-old Gary Hurts.
Houston, TX — May 18, 2025, a pedestrian was killed in a hit-and-run accident at about 10 p.m. on Westheimer Road near Joel Wheaton Road.
Authorities said a pedestrian was hit by a vehicle while trying to cross the eastbound lanes of Westheimer Road.
The pedestrian, whose name has not been made public, died after being transported to a local hospital, according to authorities.
Authorities said the vehicle that hit the pedestrian is thought to be a white tow truck.
The accident is still being investigated, but authorities have not released any additional information about the crash at this time.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
When a pedestrian is struck and killed by a commercial vehicle, and that vehicle leaves the scene, it raises some of the most serious questions the law can ask about accountability and responsibility. In this case on Westheimer Road in Houston, authorities believe a white tow truck hit a person crossing the street and then fled. That detail alone puts the incident in a different category from a typical accident. It’s not just a matter of what went wrong behind the wheel; it’s about what someone chose to do after that mistake was made.
Tow trucks, like all commercial vehicles, are operated by people who know, or should know, that they’re driving something with the potential to cause serious harm. That comes with obligations: to drive carefully, to stay alert for vulnerable road users, and above all, to stop and render aid if a crash occurs. Failing to stop after hitting someone isn’t just illegal. It’s a conscious decision to leave a person in critical need without help, and to avoid facing the consequences of one’s actions.
Legally, if the driver is identified, they’ll face serious charges. But the investigation shouldn’t stop with the person behind the wheel. It’s just as important to ask: Who owns that truck? Who sent it out on the road? If the vehicle was operated by a towing company, then that company has a duty to know who’s driving its trucks, whether those drivers are qualified and whether they’ve been properly vetted and trained.
This crash also highlights a recurring issue with pedestrian safety on high-traffic roads like Westheimer. People often assume pedestrians are the ones taking risks, but in my experience, the far greater danger lies with drivers who aren’t looking for them. Whether or not the pedestrian had the right of way, commercial drivers are expected to scan ahead, anticipate and slow down when there’s any indication someone may be crossing.
There’s still a lot we don’t know about the specifics of this crash, but one fact is already clear: someone who should have stopped didn’t. And that failure, more than the initial impact, is what sets this case apart. Whatever led up to the collision, the law is designed to hold people accountable when they run from the harm they cause. Now the responsibility lies with authorities — and eventually, the courts — to make sure that happens.
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