• December 12, 2022

UPDATE (December 21, 2022): Sources have identified the victim of this accident as 27-year-old Breonna Valdes.

Houston, TX — December 10, 2022, a pedestrian was struck and killed while crossing the lanes of Westheimer Road in Houston.

Authorities say the incident happened around 9:00 p.m. in the area of 7950 Westheimer. Preliminary investigation suggests the victim's vehicle ran out of gas on the eastbound side of the road. She alleged exited and started to carry a gas can north through the roadway when she was hit by a westbound vehicle. After the impact the driver reportedly remained at the scene and cooperated with authorities.

The woman suffered fatal injuries.

The investigation continues. No further information is available at this time.

Commentary on Breonna Valdes Accident in Houston

Folks tend to write off accidents between pedestrians and vehicles, saying "either the victim was in a crosswalk or they were at fault." Things are seldom that cut-and-dried when investigators take a closer look, and considering how few details preliminary reports have it seems like they need to here.

The accident could indeed be a simple (though tragic) matter of someone on foot where they shouldn't be. However, there are still questions about lighting and visibility, whether the driver was awake, alert, and focused on the road, how long the victim was there before the vehicle passed through, and many other variables to address. It's always important to learn all the facts rather than rushing to judgment.

I want to be very clear that I don't know more than reports say and I'm not accusing anyone of anything. I only mean to point out that things aren't always as straightforward as early reports make them sound. Do things have to be more complicated? No, but the possibility can't be ignored. At the end of the day, the evidence needs to speak for itself and that won't happen if folks jump to conclusions. The victim's loved ones certainly deserve better than that.