Pedestrian Fatally Struck While Talking On Phone In Austin: Cops

AUSTIN, TX - A man killed while crossing the street and on his cell phone last Sunday has been identified by the Austin Police Department. He is 22-year-old Elvin Diaz-Felipe.

According to police, a 2008 Toyota Camry was traveling southbound in the 12000 block of Dessau Rd. at the intersection of Braker Ln. on Dec. 22 shortly before 2:30 a.m. when the driver struck Diaz-Felipe in the southbound lanes.

Evidence from the vehicle showed Diaz-Felipe walking across Dessau Rd. from east to west while talking on a cell phone, police said At the time of the crash, the pedestrian was walking parallel to, but outside of the crosswalk with his head oriented in a downward direction and away from approaching southbound traffic.

Diaz-Felipe was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The driver remained on scene and is cooperating, police said. No charges are expected at this time.

Anyone with information regarding this case should call APD’s Vehicular Homicide Unit at (512) 974-8544. You can also submit tips by downloading Austin PD’s free mobile app on iPhone and Android. This is Austin’s 85th fatal traffic crash of 2019, resulting in 87 fatalities this year. At this time in 2018, there were 72 fatal traffic crashes and 73 traffic fatalities.