Dina Velasquez Almendarez Killed in Auto-Pedestrian Accident on Highway 6 in Harris County, TX
Harris County, TX — December 13, 2022, 49-year-old pedestrian Dina Velasquez Almendarez was hit and killed by a vehicle on State Highway 6 in Harris County.
Authorities say the incident happened around 6:20 p.m. on Highway 6 North at Clay Creek Drive. Preliminary investigation suggests a Toyota Camry was traveling south on the roadway when Velasquez Almendarez allegedly tried to cross eastward through the travel lanes, outside of a crosswalk. Investigators believe she failed to yield the right-of-way to the vehicle, which fatally struck her in the leftmost southbound lane. Reports indicate the driver remained at the scene and showed no signs of impairment.
No further information is currently available.
I often contend with the mistaken belief that an accident—whether it involved cars, trucks, motorcycles, bikes, pedestrians, or anything else—is easy to explain. Long experience in my field has taught me that many crashes are actually complex events caused by multiple factors, which is why it's crucial to investigate thoroughly, find all the puzzle pieces, and make sure they fit together.
Accidents with pedestrians are actually a key example of the dangers of assumption. I've run into many folks who generally feel that someone on foot in the road is to blame more or less by default. I've heard "Either they were in a crosswalk or they were wrong" more times than I care to count, but there are many other possible factors: Visibility, road and weather conditions, vehicle speed, if the driver was alert and paying attention, what both people did that day, and many others that urgently need answers to be sure of the whole story.
That may sound like a lot, but every last bit of it is necessary. Someone lost her life and her loved ones deserve to know how and why, whether the explanation simple or complex. I just hope authorities will make sure their questions are answered.
