Dallas, TX — November 16, 2024, one person was injured in a hit-and-run accident at about 10:10 p.m. on State Highway 78/Garland Road.
A preliminary accident report indicates an unknown vehicle was headed east at Jupiter Road when it hit a pedestrian. The vehicle did not stop after the collision.
The pedestrian, a 57-year-old man whose name has not been made public, suffered serious injuries in the crash, according to authorities.
The vehicle that hit the pedestrian has not been identified, according to the report.
Authorities have not released any additional information about the Dallas County crash.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
When I read about a hit-and-run crash like this, my first thought is that I hope the injured person gets the answers they deserve. A pedestrian being struck by a vehicle is always serious, but when the driver flees the scene, it raises even more concerns. While the preliminary report provides basic details, it leaves out critical information. Too often, people assume that if the driver hasn’t been identified, there’s little that can be done, but in my experience, that’s simply not the case. To fully understand what happened on State Highway 78, we need to ask three key questions.
First, did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash? Hit-and-run cases require a proactive approach because crucial evidence can disappear quickly. Did investigators collect surveillance footage from nearby businesses, traffic cameras or doorbell cameras that might have captured the fleeing vehicle? Did they document debris from the suspect vehicle or take witness statements? Without this kind of evidence, identifying the vehicle and driver becomes much more difficult.
Second, has anyone considered the possibility of a vehicle defect? While the decision to leave the scene is inexcusable, it’s still important to determine if mechanical issues contributed to the crash. Did the vehicle have malfunctioning headlights, brake problems or a faulty pedestrian detection system? Some drivers flee because they panic, but others may not have realized they hit someone if their vehicle was not functioning properly. If and when the suspect vehicle is found, it should be examined for any mechanical failures that might have played a role.
Finally, has all the electronic data related to the crash been collected? Even though the vehicle hasn’t been identified yet, there may still be valuable digital evidence. Traffic cameras, surveillance footage and even the pedestrian’s cell phone data could help reconstruct what happened. If the driver is eventually located, their vehicle’s engine control module may contain key information, including speed, braking and steering inputs at the time of impact. The key is ensuring this evidence is secured before it disappears.
Crashes like this demand a full investigation because a man’s life has been forever altered, and the driver responsible has yet to be held accountable. It’s frustrating when a hit-and-run case remains unsolved, but that doesn’t mean it should be treated as a dead end. By making sure all possible leads are pursued, all evidence is secured, and all unanswered questions are addressed, we can provide the injured victim with the clarity and justice they deserve.
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