Pedestrian Killed Trying To Cross Highway In North Austin

NORTH AUSTIN, TEXAS — A pedestrian was killed Friday morning after being struck by a vehicle in North Austin, officials said.

Police said the victim, a man in his 30s, was hit along the 6300 block of Interstate 35 North, just north of the U.S. 290 interchange, at around 6:30 a.m. The man who had attempted to cross the roadway before being struck was pronounced dead at the scene.

The preliminary police investigation shows that a 2015 Dodge Ram truck was traveling northbound in the 6300 block of I-35 when the driver struck the pedestrian who was standing in the inside lane. The driver did not see the pedestrian as it was dark at the time of the crash, according to police. The driver stayed on scene, police said, and showed no signs of impairment.

In the aftermath of the incident, the northbound lanes were closed to accommodate a police investigation, with traffic diverted to the frontage road. All lanes were reopened some three hours later at around 9:30 a.m.

At a subsequent press briefing, Sgt. David Daniels with the Austin Police Department's public information office said there have been 23 pedestrians were struck by vehicles this year as of the end of September — all of those incidents resulting in fatalities. Of those, 16 were traversing across roads where such crossings are prohibited. In the latest incident, the police spokesman said no charges are expected to be filed against the driver.

Daniels urged pedestrians to use crosswalks to prevent being killed by vehicles. He also urged motorists to call 911 — not the city information line 311 — to report pedestrians trying to cross highways. "We're trying to save a life," Daniels said of his urging. "It's important for individuals to take it seriously an utilize 911 for such situations."

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