FORT WORTH, Texas — A tragic incident occurred on Interstate 35W in Fort Worth Thursday morning when a vehicle struck two individuals, resulting in one fatality, according to police reports.
This accident took place near 28th Street, just north of downtown Fort Worth, at approximately 9 a.m., as stated in a police announcement. This incident caused a significant delay in traffic.
Richard Horvat, 20, experienced a vehicle breakdown due to an empty fuel tank and parked his vehicle on the northbound median’s shoulder. He then sought assistance from his father, 47-year-old Sonny Johnson.
As they were refueling the car, an unfortunate event unfolded when another driver collided with them, fatally injuring Johnson and leaving Horvat in critical condition.
The Fort Worth police reported that the driver involved in the crash claimed the incident occurred while trying to avoid a collision with an 18-wheeler, leading to their unintended swerve into the median where Horvat and Johnson were stranded. Currently, no legal actions have been initiated.
TXDOT Spokesperson Alice Rios Shaw commented, “You have to gauge how busy it is or how unsafe it may be for you to exit your vehicle.”
Shaw emphasized the risks of exiting vehicles under such circumstances.
She revealed alarming statistics.
“Only 1% of crashes in Texas involve pedestrians, but they do make up 19% of all traffic deaths. So in the last five years, pedestrian traffic fatalities in Texas increased 29 1/2%.”
TXDOT advises that in cases of vehicular breakdowns on highways, the safest course of action is to remain inside the vehicle with seatbelts fastened, activate hazard lights, and contact emergency services.
In situations where exiting the vehicle is necessary, it is advised to do so away from oncoming traffic and to maintain a safe distance from the roadway.
“We just want to remind people to be aware of their surroundings, whether it’s a pedestrian or all the cars on the roadway around you and be mindful of what you’re doing,” Shaw concluded with a reminder for road safety.
