David Phillips Killed in Hit-and-Run on University Drive in Denton, TX
UPDATE (December 1, 2022): Authorities have identified the victim of this hit-and-run as 62-year-old David Lee Phillips. Police are still searching for leads about the car and driver that fatally struck Phillips and left the scene.
Denton, TX — November 24, 2022, a male pedestrian was struck and fatally injured by a vehicle in a hit-and-run on University Drive in Denton.
Authorities say the incident happened just before 9:00 p.m. near University and Bell Avenue, close to Texas Woman's University. Preliminary investigation suggests only that the victim was on foot in the area when he was hit by a vehicle, possibly a 2007 to 2009 Hyundai Elantra of unknown color, that left the scene without stopping.
The victim was taken to an area hospital where he died a short time later.
The investigation is ongoing. No further information is available at this time.
Commentary on David Phillips Hit-and-Run in Denton
It's always frustrating to see hit-and-run incidents in the news, yet it seems new ones pop up every day. Obviously apprehending the driver is paramount, so it's vital that police remain diligent and community members come forward with any information they can provide. There seem to be few clear immediate leads, but it's encouraging that authorities seem to know the approximate make and model of the vehicle they're looking for. That's far more than they often have to work with at the start, but they'll need more.
That's where community involvement comes in: If people are kept up to date on what police know they can use those details to keep an eye out for the vehicle and its operator. It may take some time, but if they keep at it there is often a positive resolution--either when the offender sees the accident they were in on the news or when someone else recognizes them from reports. We even heard about a recent arrest where a hit-and-run suspect was caught in another county after a stranger at a bar heard her bragging about escaping the law and called a tip line.
Once the Denton suspect is in custody hopefully investigators will find out what compelled them to abandon the scene and the person they fatally injured. They might simply have panicked, but in many cases something else (illegal contraband, outstanding warrants, drunk driving) contributed to their poor decision. Only time and thorough investigation will tell, but as long as everyone does what they can I remain confident justice can be served.
