Abel E. Mendoza Killed in Pearsall Hit-and-Run Accident
The 76-year-old man was struck by a vehicle that fled the scene early morning
Abel E. Mendoza, 76, was killed in a hit-and-run crash on Business 35 East in Pearsall, Texas, on Aug. 1, according to the Pearsall Police Department.
The crash remains under investigation. Detectives are searching for the driver who fled the scene in an unknown direction before 2:30 a.m. Officers found Mendoza in the 3000 block of the road. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities have not released a description of the suspect vehicle.
Investigators are asking anyone who witnessed the collision or noticed unusual activity in the area to come forward. Anyone with information is asked to contact Lt. Nathaniel Ximenez at the police department.
Callers may remain anonymous.
How common are fatal hit-and-runs in Texas?
Texas has seen a sharp increase in drivers fleeing fatal collisions. Statewide data shows 338 fatal hit-and-run crashes occurred in 2023, maintaining the elevated levels that began surging in 2020.
When these incidents occur, families are often left waiting for answers while law enforcement works to track down the responsible party. In hit-and-run accidents such as this, forensic evidence left at the scene becomes the primary tool for investigators.
Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, said, "Hit and run crashes create a race against time because fleeing drivers take away the one piece of information needed most, a name attached to the vehicle. Surveillance recordings from nearby businesses often hold the clearest lead, but those systems overwrite footage within days."
"An attorney moves fast to preserve that footage before deletion erases a real chance at identification," added Bond, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News.
What evidence helps solve hit-and-run cases?
Detectives typically rely on debris left at the point of impact, such as headlight fragments or paint transfers, to identify the make and model of the fleeing vehicle. Nearby surveillance cameras and witness accounts also play a critical role in piecing together the timeline.
While the criminal investigation focuses on identifying the driver, the victim's family faces immediate financial and emotional burdens. Legal professionals often step in to preserve evidence before it disappears from the scene.
Texas wrongful death statute
Under Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 71.001, surviving family members may file a wrongful death action. Texas applies modified comparative fault (51% bar). The statute of limitations is 2 years.
Recoverable damages may include loss of financial support, loss of companionship and consortium, funeral expenses, and mental anguish.
"Hit-and-run driver identification procedures utilize automated license plate readers, body shop alerts, and local witness statements. Drivers who flee face increased civil liability alongside criminal charges," said Stefano Formica, of counsel at Bond Legal.
Formica, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News, noted, "An attorney coordinates private investigative searches to locate fleeing motorists, helping families move forward with valid legal claims for compensation."