BEAUMONT, Texas — Auto-pedestrian accidents in Beaumont have doubled from 2018 through 2022, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
These types of accidents are preventable, and drivers as well as people walking along the roads share a responsibility in paying attention and staying safe, according to law enforcement.
On April 14, Patricia Bailey's grandson Roger Sims was helping her take out the trash when he was hit by a speeding truck.
"People please slow down. Please, it could be your grandchild," she said.
She doesn't want another family to experience her pain.
"You have got to be careful, you have got to watch where you're at," said Bailey. "I️ don't care if you're in a hurry, a death or a tragedy is not worth five minutes of your time."
Texas Department of Transportation reports that pedestrian traffic fatalities have increased 30 percent from 2018 through 2022.
The City of Vidor implemented safety measures to decrease the number of auto-pedestrian incidents.
"We've dropped our auto-pedestrians by 20% within the city," said Vidor Police Chief Rod Carroll.
A 2020 city ordinance requires people walking and riding their bikes to wear reflective visible material 30 minutes before and after sunset.
"If the drivers can see the pedestrians, they can take action prior to the collision," said Chief Carroll. "And to me, the more visibility you can create, the sooner the driver will see you and be able to slow down."
The ordinance was created after three consecutive auto-pedestrian incidents happened back in 2020.
"In each case that occurred, the driver realistically was not responsible for the initial accident because the pedestrian was in the roadway in a darkened area," said Chief Carroll.
People walking along the road should walk in the opposite direction of traffic, according to Texas traffic law.
"The thing is this way they can step out of the way of traffic," he said. "Traffic can't sneak up behind them if they have the visibility."
Drivers should pay attention to their surroundings and drive within the posted speed limit, according to Chief Carroll.
"Cause nobody gets in their car, and says today's gonna be the day I run somebody over, and so you know, here they find out that this individual has been killed," he said. "So you can imagine the emotions."
A man was fatally struck by a car along I-10 near MLK Dr. in Orange County late Thursday night, according to DPS.
A Toyota Camry was traveling east when the driver hit the man who was walking along the highway.
The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
If you accidentally hit someone, call 911 immediately and stay at the scene.
You could face charges if you leave the scene, according to police.
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This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.