Pedestrians are not allowed to cross busy highways like Loop 410.
Woman Attempting to Cross Loop 410 on Foot Hit and Killed by Oncoming Vehicle
A woman was struck and killed while attempting to cross Loop 410 on foot Tuesday afternoon, according to a report from News4SanAntonio.¹
Police say the crash occurred at approximately 4:05 p.m. on Tuesday, January 20, on Southwest Loop 410 near the Highway 151 exit on San Antonio’s West Side. Authorities reported that the woman, who has not yet been identified, was attempting to cross the busy highway on foot when she was hit by a truck traveling eastbound.
The driver immediately stopped and attempted to render aid, but the woman suffered severe injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. No arrests were made, and the investigation is ongoing.
Did You Know?
In Texas last year, 472 fatal crashes involved pedestrians who failed to yield the right of way to a vehicle, according to data from the Texas Department of Transportation.²
When Do Pedestrians Not Have the Right of Way in Texas?
Many people grow up hearing that pedestrians always have the right of way. While it’s true that drivers should exercise extreme caution around pedestrians whenever possible, that belief isn’t accurate under Texas law.
There are situations where pedestrians are legally required to yield to vehicles. Understanding when this applies is critical, especially on high-speed roadways like Loop 410, where a mistake can have tragic consequences.
Crossing Highways and Freeways on Foot
Pedestrians do not have the right of way when attempting to cross controlled-access highways such as Loop 410. These roadways are built for fast-moving traffic and are not designed for foot traffic at any point.
Crossing a highway on foot is illegal and extremely dangerous because drivers are traveling at high speeds and do not expect to encounter pedestrians. Even attentive drivers may not have enough time or distance to stop safely. Curves, exits, and merging traffic further limit visibility, making these situations especially deadly.
Traffic Signals, Crosswalks, and Yielding to Vehicles
Pedestrians are required to follow traffic signals just like drivers. This means yielding when a “Don’t Walk” signal is displayed, when crossing outside of a marked or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection, or when stepping into traffic against a green light for vehicles.
When pedestrians enter the roadway without the right of way, they place both themselves and drivers in a difficult—and sometimes unavoidable—situation.
Crossing Outside of Crosswalks
When someone crosses the road mid-block or outside of a crosswalk, Texas law generally requires the pedestrian to yield to vehicles already on the roadway. On wide, multi-lane roads with higher speed limits, drivers may not be able to react quickly enough if a pedestrian suddenly enters traffic.
This is one reason pedestrian crashes are often so severe, even during daylight hours.
Why These Situations Are So Dangerous
Pedestrian accidents are frequently fatal because the human body has no protection against a moving vehicle. On highways and major roads, the combination of speed, vehicle weight, and limited reaction time often leaves little chance of survival.
Factors that commonly contribute to fatal pedestrian crashes include high vehicle speeds, illegal crossings, limited visibility, and drivers having too little time to avoid a collision, even when they are paying attention.
What Drivers Still Must Do
Even when pedestrians do not have the right of way, drivers are still expected to remain alert and take reasonable steps to avoid a collision whenever possible. That means staying focused, avoiding distractions, and reacting appropriately to hazards.
Just because a pedestrian is crossing illegally doesn’t give drivers permission to hit them.
At the same time, the law recognizes that there are situations where a crash simply cannot be avoided, even when a driver is acting responsibly.
Legal Options After a Fatal Pedestrian Accident
The absence of criminal charges does not automatically mean there are no legal options available. Civil claims are evaluated differently than criminal cases and focus on whether negligence played a role.
Families who lose a loved one in a pedestrian accident often have questions about liability, roadway design, visibility, and whether the tragedy could have been prevented. Each case depends on its unique facts and deserves careful review.
Injured or Lost a Loved One in a Pedestrian Accident? Call Shaw.
Losing a loved one in a pedestrian accident is devastating, especially when it happens suddenly and without warning. If you or your family were affected by a pedestrian accident, you may be entitled to compensation for things like:
- Emergency Treatment and Ambulance Costs,
- Pain and Suffering,
- Ongoing Medical Care,
- Wrongful Death Damages,
- And More.
We’ll help you find out for free.
Call Shaw today at 800-862-1260 to speak with an experienced pedestrian injury lawyer in San Antonio. There are no fees, no obligations, and no pressure—just straightforward legal guidance when you need it most.
We look forward to serving you.
¹News4SanAntonio report
²TxDOT Crash Contributing Factors (2024)