A pedestrian died after stepping into the main lanes of Houston’s Highway 290 late Sunday, police say.
HOUSTON — A pedestrian was killed late Sunday night after stepping into the main lanes of Highway 290 in northwest Houston, according to police.
Sgt. David Ross with HPD’s Vehicular Crimes Division said the crash happened on Highway 290 heading northwest just north of Fairbanks North Houston.
“What we have tonight is a fatal crash involving a cement mixer that was driving outbound in the main lanes,” Ross said. “There was a pedestrian that entered the main lanes in front of the cement mixer. We have that corroborated by witnesses and dash cam from the cement mixer itself.”
Ross said the truck driver tried to avoid the pedestrian but could not. The driver stopped immediately and attempted to render aid before investigators arrived.
Police say it is unclear why the pedestrian was in the roadway. There was no disabled vehicle nearby, no open businesses in the area, and no one at the scene who knew the victim. The medical examiner has been called to identify the person and notify family.
Truck enforcement officers are conducting a full inspection of the cement mixer, as is standard when a commercial vehicle is involved in a fatal crash. Ross said there is no reason to believe the truck was unsafe, and the driver showed no signs of impairment. As required by state law, the driver will undergo drug testing for his commercial driver’s license.
“Pedestrians are not allowed to be up on the freeway at any time, particularly in the main lanes,” Ross said.