Christian Mozingo Killed in Auto-Pedestrian Accident on Rio Grande Ave in El Paso, TX
El Paso, TX -- May 8, 2022, 38-year-old pedestrian Christopher Mozingo was killed by a vehicle along East Rio Grande Avenue in central El Paso.
Authorities say the incident happened Sunday evening on the 1000 block of East Rio Grande at Octavia Street. According to police Mozingo was crossing Rio Grande southward in an unmarked area near the intersection, talking on a cell phone, when he was hit by a Chevrolet Cobalt driven by 74-year-old Patricia Demoura-Navarre.
Mozingo died at the scene. No other injuries were reported.
According to reports Demoura-Navarre was taken into custody on a potential DWI charge. She reportedly refused to provide samples for testing.
No further information is currently available.
Commentary on Christopher Mozingo Accident on Rio Grande Ave in El Paso
Police reports suggest the victim used an area designated for foot traffic, though it was apparently unmarked. Moreover, it seems they think the driver that hit him may have been under the influence of alcohol. Those are both key details that bear consideration, but it's important to make sure all the possible factors are evaluated. If the incident happened in the evening, was it after sundown? Is that area lit up at night? Reports suggest the victim may have been distracted, but was the driver's full attention on the road? Was the victim clearly visible? How much time passed between when he stepped in the street and when the car hit him? Where did both parties come from before they met in the road?
I'm not trying to overcomplicate this or make any accusations. I'm just saying what I so often do: When people are hurt or killed in accidents like this it's important to put in the work and find the clear facts explaining how and why that occurred. Folks are often tempted to jump to conclusions based on a few short sentences in a news release, but proper investigation will certainly dig deeper to find the truth. The victim's loved ones deserve as many answers as can be provided. If there's any other action to take, knowing that will largely depend on what those answers turn out to be.
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