Jim Wells County, TX — February 14, 2025, Mikaela Monsevais was killed in a hit-and-run accident at about 10:30 p.m. on State Highway 359.
Authorities said an unknown vehicle was traveling south near Alfred when it hit a pedestrian who had been walking along the highway. The vehicle did not stop.
Pedestrian Mikaela Anne Monsevais, 25, of Alice was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, according to authorities.
Authorities identified her as Mikaela Lee, but her family used her married name in her obituary.
The driver who hit Mikaela Monsevais has not been found, according to authorities.
Authorities have not released any additional information about the crash.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
When I see reports of a crash like this, my first thought is that the victim’s loved ones deserve clear answers about what happened. A fatal hit-and-run leaves families not only grieving but also searching for accountability, and in my experience, these cases require urgent and thorough investigations to ensure key evidence is not lost. Before any conclusions can be reached, three critical areas need further examination.
First, did authorities conduct a thorough investigation? Identifying a hit-and-run driver can be difficult, but law enforcement should be doing everything possible to locate the responsible party. Did investigators collect vehicle debris from the crash site that could help determine the make and model of the vehicle? Have they reviewed traffic and surveillance cameras from nearby businesses, homes or highway systems that may have captured footage of the suspect vehicle? Additionally, given that the crash happened at night, were roadway conditions, lighting and visibility properly examined to understand the circumstances leading up to the collision?
Second, has anyone considered whether a vehicle defect played a role? Most hit-and-run crashes are assumed to involve driver negligence or recklessness, but there are cases where mechanical failures contribute to a crash. Did the suspect vehicle experience a brake or steering malfunction that caused the driver to lose control? Was there an issue with the vehicle’s lighting system that prevented the driver from seeing the pedestrian in time? While leaving the scene is never justified, understanding whether mechanical failure was a factor can provide a clearer picture of what happened.
Finally, has all available electronic data been collected? Digital evidence can be the key to solving hit-and-run cases. If investigators identify a suspect vehicle, its engine control module (ECM) may contain data on speed, braking and steering inputs at the time of the crash. Additionally, surveillance footage from businesses, traffic cameras or even doorbell cameras in the area could provide images of the vehicle. Phone records may also help determine if the driver was distracted at the time of the crash. The sooner this evidence is secured, the better the chances of finding the responsible party.
At the end of the day, a young woman lost her life, and her family deserves to know who was responsible and why this happened. A full and thorough investigation is the only way to ensure no key details are overlooked. If any of these three questions remain unanswered, the family simply doesn’t have the full story.
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