Odessa, TX — May 1, 2025, Silverio Proto was killed in a hit-and-run accident at about 9:30 p.m. on West Clements Street near South Allegheny Avenue.
Preliminary accident reports indicate a pedestrian was hit by two unknown vehicles in less than 10 minutes.
The pedestrian, 59-year-old Silverio Antonio Proto, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, according to the report.
Authorities have not released any additional information about the Ector County crash.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
After a crash like this, I think most people have plenty of questions. However, some questions tend to be overlooked by crash investigators. When someone is struck by not one but two vehicles, and both drivers leave the scene, the situation raises serious concerns; not just about accountability, but about whether all possible causes have been explored. From my perspective, getting answers starts with asking the right questions.
First, did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash? It’s easy to assume that every hit-and-run is treated with urgency, but in reality, the quality of an investigation can vary. In cases involving multiple vehicles and nighttime conditions, there’s a lot that can go unnoticed unless investigators go the extra mile. Did they canvass the area for surveillance footage? Did they speak to all nearby residents and businesses? What about checking for any eyewitnesses who might have seen either vehicle? These steps aren’t guaranteed in every case, but they’re essential to understanding what really happened and who was responsible.
Next, has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash? This might seem unlikely at first glance, especially since both vehicles fled. But I’ve seen situations where a defect — like faulty headlights, brake failure or steering issues — played a role in a pedestrian crash. If either driver lost control due to a mechanical issue, that changes how we think about causation. Of course, fleeing the scene complicates everything, but even recovered vehicle fragments or tire marks could offer clues about whether something went wrong with the car itself.
Finally, has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected? These days, most vehicles have some form of onboard data recorder. Even in a hit-and-run, if a vehicle is later found, it’s possible to pull speed data, braking patterns and even GPS history. That kind of evidence can clarify whether a driver tried to avoid the crash or was even aware they’d hit someone. It’s also important to check if any nearby traffic or security cameras captured part of the incident, especially when two vehicles are involved, spaced just minutes apart. Even dashcams from other passing cars might hold key details.
When people lose someone in such a confusing and chaotic event, what they want most is clarity. And clarity only comes from asking hard questions, even when answers aren’t easy to find. That’s why I believe we need to look deeper; not just into who was driving, but into how and why this happened in the first place.
Key Takeaways:
- Investigators must take extra steps to gather evidence in hit-and-run cases, especially when multiple vehicles are involved.
- Mechanical failures, even in fleeing vehicles, could influence the cause of the crash and should be explored.
- Electronic data and video footage are vital tools in reconstructing the events and establishing what each vehicle did before, during and after impact.
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