Pedestrian Killed in Dallas After Being Struck by SUV, Then Hit by Waymo Self-Driving Vehicle on Maple Avenue

A pedestrian died late Friday night after being struck by an SUV and then hit by an unoccupied Waymo self-driving vehicle on Maple Avenue in Dallas, according to the Dallas Police Department. The crash occurred around 11:30 p.m. near the intersection of Maple Avenue and Lucas Drive in the northern part of the city. Surveillance video obtained from a nearby convenience store shows two pedestrians leaving the store and approaching the roadway. Both individuals paused at the curb before a man stepped into Maple Avenue. Police say the man was struck from behind by an SUV traveling in the southbound lanes. The force of the impact threw him approximately 30 feet into the northbound lanes, where he was struck by a Waymo autonomous vehicle. No one was inside the Waymo at the time of the crash, as it was operating without a passenger. Footage shows the self-driving vehicle coming to a stop as bystanders rushed to help the victim. The man was pronounced dead as a result of his injuries. Dallas police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash, and no charges have been announced at this time.

Location and Infrastructure

Maple Avenue is a major north-south corridor connecting Dallas's Uptown and Oak Lawn areas to the northern portions of the city, carrying substantial vehicle traffic throughout the day and into the late-night hours. The area near its intersection with Lucas Drive includes retail storefronts, including the convenience store from which the pedestrian and his companion had just exited, placing foot traffic in close proximity to active travel lanes. Like many stretches of Maple Avenue, this segment features multiple lanes of traffic in each direction, which can make midblock or unmarked crossings particularly hazardous for pedestrians, especially at night when visibility is reduced. The presence of autonomous vehicles, such as those operated by Waymo, adds another dimension to traffic patterns in this part of Dallas, where self-driving cars increasingly share the road with conventional vehicles and pedestrians.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Under Texas law, liability in a pedestrian accident involving multiple vehicles may be apportioned among more than one party under the state's proportionate responsibility statute (Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 33), which allows recovery to be reduced or barred depending on the pedestrian's own degree of fault, if any. Cases involving an autonomous vehicle may also raise questions about the vehicle manufacturer's or operator's potential liability under Texas product liability principles, in addition to standard driver negligence claims against the SUV operator. Texas generally imposes a two-year statute of limitations on personal injury and wrongful death claims, counted from the date of the incident. Surviving family members may be entitled to pursue wrongful death and survival damages, which can include medical and funeral expenses, lost income, and loss of companionship. Insurance claims in cases involving multiple vehicles, including an autonomous one, often require coordination between several carriers. This information is educational and not a substitute for advice from a licensed Texas attorney.

Related Resources

• Dallas Police Department – Traffic Investigations Unit: for crash reports and ongoing investigation updates
• Dallas Fire-Rescue – Emergency medical response services
• Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) Pedestrian Safety Initiatives – local pedestrian safety programs and resources
• Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) – Pedestrian Safety – state resources on pedestrian safety and crash statistics
• Texas Department of Transportation – Texas Traffic Laws: official statutes governing vehicle and pedestrian right-of-way
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) – general pedestrian and autonomous vehicle safety information
• Grief and trauma support services – local victim support organizations for families affected by fatal traffic crashes