Octavius Willis Killed by Vehicle on FM 1960 in Harris County, TX
UPDATE (January 26, 2023): The victim of this accident has been identified as 27-year-old Octavius Willis.
Harris County, TX — January 8, 2023, a male pedestrian was struck and killed by a passing vehicle on Farm to Market Road 1960 in Harris County.
Authorities say the incident happened around 12:35 a.m. along the 1400 block of westbound FM 1960 near Ella Boulevard. Preliminary investigation suggests the victim was crossing northward through the road, outside of a crosswalk, when he was hit by a westbound Ram 1500 pickup. The impact sent the victim airborne and he landed in a nearby parking lot.
The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene. The Ram driver was unhurt.
The accident remains under investigation. No further information is currently available.
Over the years I've learned that people don't always give pedestrians the benefit of the doubt in situations like this. Is it possible that person just made a mistake crossing the road when he did? Maybe, but is it also possible there's more to the story and all the facts aren't in yet? Absolutely.
Sometimes preliminary reports seem pretty self-contained and people think there's little else to say, but I think it's only right that the exact circumstances that took a man's life are learned. Maybe a more thorough investigation that accounts for other potential factors won't turn up anything else, but the victim's loved ones deserve any and all answers they can get. I hope police will take the time and care needed to provide those answers here.
