Pedestrian Killed in Hit-and-Run on Airport Boulevard in Austin, TX
Austin, TX — September 17, 2022, a male pedestrian was struck and killed by a vehicle in a hit-and-run on Airport Boulevard in Austin.
Authorities say the incident happened around 10:00 p.m. on the 1100 block of Airport Boulevard. Investigators believe the victim was crossing the roadway when he was struck and fatally injured by a vehicle that left the scene without stopping.
Investigators are currently seeking more information about the hit-and-run vehicle and its driver.
No further information is currently available.
Commentary on Austin Pedestrian Hit-and-Run on Airport Blvd
It's tragic and frustrating to learn of yet another hit-and-run on Texas roads. Clearly authorities must do everything they can to locate the driver who left the scene--not only to ensure they face appropriate punishment, but also to learn precisely why they took off and left a man to die in the street. The answer to that, if there is one, could change the nature of the investigation.
For example, many drivers flee from incidents like this because they're intoxicated at the time. If that was the case for the Austin suspect, that could mean a local alcohol provider is liable for the victim's fatal injuries if they negligently over-served the runaway driver before the collision. That would be handled by Texas dram shop law, which despite its importance is largely unknown to the public.
I'm not saying I know for sure that alcohol was an issue here, but it's an important secondary question to answer after the driver is located. What police are doing now--searching for material evidence, witnesses, surveillance footage from the area, and other sources of information--is crucial in finding every possible clue to help them track down the vehicle and its runaway driver. Whatever information they can find and then relay to the public is one more piece of the puzzle that someone will eventually put together to recognize a suspect. If authorities remain diligent and the community cooperates with any useful information, I'm confident justice can be served.
