Habib Dwabe, 18, Killed in South Freeway Crash in Fort Worth, Texas; Driver Charged with Intoxicated Manslaughter

An 18-year-old man who stopped to help at the scene of a crash on Fort Worth's South Freeway was killed early Friday when another driver struck him, according to Fort Worth police. Officers were called to the 4200 block of South Freeway at about 2:30 a.m. for a major crash. Habib Dwabe and a group of friends had just left the Stockyards when they came upon the wreck and stopped to assist. Friend Pablo Perales said he got out of the car first and ran toward the person who needed help when another driver crashed into the already-disabled vehicle and struck Dwabe. The impact sent Dwabe over the median and into oncoming traffic, where he was hit by another vehicle. His friends pulled him to safety, but his injuries were too severe, and he died at the scene. Police confirmed that the driver who struck Dwabe faces a charge of intoxicated manslaughter. That driver's identity has not been confirmed. The investigation is ongoing. Friends and loved ones describe Dwabe as kind, loving, and always willing to help.

Location and Infrastructure

The crash occurred in the 4200 block of South Freeway, a major limited-access corridor that carries commuter, commercial, and late-night traffic between downtown Fort Worth and the city's southern neighborhoods and suburbs. The Stockyards, the entertainment district the group had just left, sits north of downtown, so the friends' route would have taken them through the central city. Freeways like this one are designed for sustained high speeds and have no traffic signals on the main lanes. Drivers therefore have little time to react to stopped vehicles or people on the roadway, especially in the overnight hours. In this case, a median separates the opposing directions of travel, and the impact sent Dwabe across it into oncoming lanes. Police have urged bystanders not to stop on busy highways unless absolutely necessary and to call 911 instead. Specific lighting and road conditions at the scene have not been reported.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Texas law treats intoxicated manslaughter as a serious felony under Texas Penal Code § 49.08. Criminal charges are separate from any civil claims. Under the Texas Wrongful Death Act (Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, Chapter 71), a surviving spouse, children, or parents may be able to seek damages when a death is caused by another party's wrongful act or negligence. Compensation may include funeral and burial expenses, loss of companionship, mental anguish, and lost financial support. Texas generally applies a two-year statute of limitations to wrongful death and personal injury claims (Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003), though exceptions can apply. Insurance considerations may include the at-fault driver's liability coverage, the victim's or family's uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, and, where alcohol was involved, questions about third-party liability under Texas dram shop provisions. Texas also has Good Samaritan protections for people who render emergency aid (Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 74.151). This overview is general information, not legal advice.

Related Resources

Emergency Services and Law Enforcement

• Fort Worth Police Department: fortworthtexas.gov/departments/police
• Fort Worth Fire Department: fortworthtexas.gov/departments/fire
• MedStar Mobile Healthcare (Tarrant County EMS): medstar911.org
• Emergencies: call 911

Traffic Safety Resources

• Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), "Be Safe. Drive Smart." campaign: txdot.gov
• Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Texas: madd.org
• Texas DPS crash report requests (Crash Records): txdot.gov (search "Crash Report Online Purchase System")

Support Services for Victims and Families

• Texas Attorney General's Crime Victims' Compensation Program: texasattorneygeneral.gov/crime-victims
• Tarrant County District Attorney's Office, Victim Assistance: tarrantcountytx.gov
• MADD Victim Services helpline: 1-877-MADD-HELP (1-877-623-3435)
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988) for grief and emotional support

Texas Traffic Laws and Regulations

• Texas Statutes online: statutes.capitol.texas.gov
• Texas Penal Code § 49.08 (Intoxicated Manslaughter)
• Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 550 (Accident Reports and Duties Following a Crash)
• Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, Chapter 71 (Wrongful Death) and § 74.151 (Good Samaritan)