In a heart-wrenching incident in Houston, Texas, a 19-year-old man lost his life in front of his brother. This hit-and-run crash occurred as the pair attempted to cross a freeway on foot. On Monday, December 16, at around 9:55 p.m. local time, the teenager was struck while trying to walk across 7301 Gulf Freeway (South Interstate Highway 45). The identity of the deceased male is pending verification by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.

Details of the Tragic Incident

The victim was accompanied by his brother when the accident took place. His brother witnessed the harrowing moment as his sibling was hit. According to local news outlets like KTRK and KPRC 2, the male was on the east side of the freeway and attempted to cross multiple lanes on foot. He ran into a moving lane of traffic and was struck by an unknown vehicle traveling north. The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene. The "unknown driver did not stop to render aid and fled the scene."Police recovered a piece of the driver's vehicle at the scene, which could potentially help identify the suspect. Sergeant D. Rose of the HPD Vehicular Crimes Division emphasized the danger of crossing the freeway. He said, "There is just so much potential for danger there. There is nowhere on 45, one of the deadliest roadways in the United States, to cross safely. There just isn't." He added that this is why there are underpasses for pedestrian traffic.Police have urged the public to never cross the freeway and have asked anyone with information about the case to come forward. "Anyone with information in this case is urged to contact the HPD Hit and Run Unit at 713-247-4065 or speak anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS," police said in the release. Houston Police Department did not immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for an update or additional information.This tragic event serves as a reminder of the importance of safety and the perils of attempting to cross busy freeways on foot. It is a somber reminder that such incidents can have a profound impact on families and communities. We must remain vigilant and follow safety guidelines to prevent such tragedies from occurring.