Fatal Pedestrian Crash on Westheimer Road in West Houston Leaves 73-Year-Old Woman Dead; Second Driver Flees Scene
Pedestrian hit and killed on Westheimer; witnesses report second car fled the scene
HPD said they have not confirmed whether a second vehicle hit the woman, but witnesses at the scene reported a black sedan was involved and did not stop.
Woman struck and killed while walking on Westheimer, cited as one of deadliest roads in U.S.
According to The Post, Westheimer Road ranked first for the highest number of pedestrian deaths from 2021-2023 — a total of 19 across the three-year period.
A 73-year-old woman was struck and killed in a fatal pedestrian accident on Westheimer Road near the intersection with Gessner Road in west Houston early Friday morning, November 21, 2025. The collision occurred at approximately 6:25 a.m. in the 9500 block of Westheimer Road, a heavily trafficked commercial and shopping corridor. According to Houston Police Department investigators, the woman had exited a Metro bus and was attempting to cross the street while carrying several bags when she was struck by a white Dodge Ram truck traveling westbound on Westheimer. A witness at the scene told KHOU 11 that he attempted to administer CPR to the victim, but was forced to move out of the way when a black sedan reportedly ran over the woman a second time and continued driving without stopping. Houston Fire Department paramedics responded to the scene and pronounced the woman deceased. The driver of the white Dodge Ram remained at the scene, cooperated with investigators, and showed no signs of intoxication before being released. HPD's Vehicular Crimes Division confirmed they have not yet verified whether a second vehicle struck the victim, though witness accounts indicate a black sedan may have been involved in a potential hit-and-run. Investigators stated the pedestrian was crossing outside of a designated crosswalk and failed to yield the right of way when she entered the roadway.
Location and Infrastructure
Westheimer Road has been identified as one of the deadliest pedestrian corridors in the nation. A recent Washington Post investigation found that vehicles struck and killed 36 people along a 3½-mile stretch of Westheimer on Houston's west side between 2010 and 2023. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration tracked 19 deaths on Westheimer between 2021 and 2023, ranking it first nationally for pedestrian fatalities during that period. The roadway features eight lanes of traffic with vehicles often exceeding posted speed limits, making it exceptionally hazardous for pedestrians to navigate on foot. Traffic signals with crosswalks are often up to a mile apart along Westheimer, forcing pedestrians to choose between walking significant distances out of their way or attempting to cross busy traffic mid-block. Outside Loop 610, Westheimer remains designated as FM 1093 under Texas Department of Transportation oversight, cutting across what is now a dense commercial corridor of shopping centers, restaurants, and residential areas. The intersection of Gessner Road and the Westheimer corridor has been identified among the dangerous pedestrian crossing points in Houston, where rush hour brings heavy volumes of both vehicle and foot traffic.
Legal Rights and Considerations
Under Texas Transportation Code Section 552.005, a pedestrian shall yield the right-of-way to a vehicle on the highway if crossing a roadway at a place other than in a marked crosswalk or in an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection. However, Section 552.008 requires that operators of vehicles shall exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian. Texas uses a comparative negligence system known as proportionate responsibility, which allows fault to be shared between a driver and a pedestrian. Injured parties cannot recover damages if they are determined to be more than 50 percent at fault.
Regarding the potential hit-and-run, leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death is classified as a second-degree felony under Texas law, carrying potential penalties of up to 20 years in prison and fines up to $10,000. Texas Transportation Code Chapter 550 requires all drivers involved in accidents to stop immediately, render aid, and provide identification information.
For wrongful death claims, Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003(b) provides a two-year statute of limitations from the date of death for surviving family members to pursue civil action. Compensation available in fatal pedestrian cases may include medical expenses, funeral costs, lost wages and earning capacity, loss of companionship, and pain and suffering damages.
Related Resources
Emergency Services:
- Houston Police Department: (713) 884-3131
- HPD Hit and Run Unit: (713) 247-4065
- Crime Stoppers of Houston: (713) 222-TIPS (8477)
- Houston Fire Department Emergency: 911
Traffic Safety Resources:
- Vision Zero Houston: visionzero.houstontx.gov
- Texas Department of Transportation Safety Information: txdot.gov/safety
- Houston TranStar Traffic Information: houstontranstar.org
Victim Support Services:
- Harris County Victim Services: (713) 755-5942
- Crime Victims' Compensation Program (Texas Attorney General): (800) 983-9933
- Houston Area Women's Center Crisis Line: (713) 528-2121
State Traffic Laws and Regulations:
- Texas Transportation Code Chapter 552 (Pedestrians): statutes.capitol.texas.gov
- Texas Transportation Code Chapter 550 (Accidents and Reports): statutes.capitol.texas.gov
- Texas Department of Public Safety: dps.texas.gov