Police Investigate Fatal Pedestrian Crashes in Beaumont and Houston

BEAUMONT, Texas — Beaumont Police are probing a fatal auto-pedestrian crash that occurred Wednesday night near Interstate 10. Officers arrived at the scene shortly before 9:30 p.m. and discovered the victim’s body on 11th Street, close to a local Luby’s restaurant.

Authorities cordoned off the entire intersection to facilitate an investigation by the Traffic Unit and have urged the public to avoid the area while they gather information and evidence.

“We are working diligently to piece together the events leading up to this tragic incident,” Officer Haley Morrow, the spokesperson for the investigation, stated at the scene.

Meanwhile, a separate incident in Houston has raised alarm among city officials. A man was fatally struck while attempting to cross the East Freeway late Monday night, an event that appears to involve a group chasing him onto the highway. The Houston Police Department reported that the incident occurred around 10:45 p.m. near the I-10 and Lockwood intersection.

Investigators believe the victim may have been fleeing from a group and noted that no weapons were involved. “It’s definitely suspicious… and we will be investigating and trying to pull video and identify these individuals,” said HPD Sgt. David Rose. He emphasized that, at this time, the case is not considered a murder investigation.

Authorities are currently seeking information from anyone who may have been driving in the area at the time, particularly if they have damage to their vehicles. “We believe we have the first two primary striking vehicles, but if you were involved in this crash or may have been driving in this location around that time and ran over something,… contact the Vehicular Crimes Division at 713 247-4072,” Rose said.

In a separate, unrelated incident, the National Transportation Safety Board has announced its investigation into a tragic crash in Austin that resulted in five fatalities, including an infant and a child. The crash occurred around 11:20 p.m. on March 13 on Interstate 35. According to NTSB investigator Kenny Bragg, the investigation will focus on the specific location and past incidents.

Solomun Weldekeal Araya, 37, has been charged with five counts of intoxication manslaughter and two counts of intoxication assault and remains in custody at the Travis County Jail. Emergency services reported that multiple vehicles, including a semitruck, were involved in the collision, which also sent 11 others to the hospital.

The NTSB expects the investigation to span seven to ten days, with a preliminary report due within a month.