Felix Nava Killed in Lindale Hit-and-Run Accident
Investigators are searching for a 2018 or 2019 Ford F-250 or F-350 pickup truck that fled the scene
Felix Nava, 48, was killed in a hit-and-run crash on Farm-to-Market Road 16 outside Lindale on Friday, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Investigators are searching for a 2018 or 2019 Ford F-250 or F-350 pickup truck that struck the e-bike and fled the scene. The collision occurred as the rider, Nava, was returning home from a nearby gas station. A passing drivers discovered the injured man, called for emergency assistance, and remained at the site until paramedics arrived. The victim, known for his skills in carpentry and electrical work, was a father and grandfather. Nava's family is urging the driver to surrender to authorities.
Troopers have not released a license plate number or a description of the suspect.
The crash remains under investigation.
The search for the Ford pickup highlights a growing concern across the state. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, Texas recorded 338 fatal hit-and-run crashes in 2023, part of an increasing trend over the past decade.
The sudden loss of Nava has left his family and the Lindale community searching for answers. While relatives grieve the loss of a father and grandfather, investigators are working to identify the driver who fled the scene on FM 16.
Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, said, "Identifying a driver responsible for fleeing after causing catastrophic injuries can take weeks, especially when witnesses are scarce and physical clues remain limited along a busy roadway. Delayed identification leaves injured people and surviving relatives waiting anxiously for answers about accountability."
"A legal team works alongside investigators, reviewing tips, vehicle fragments, and paint transfer evidence to help move identification forward," added Bond, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News.
What evidence helps identify a fleeing driver on FM 16?
As troopers canvas the area near the gas station for clues, independent investigations often run parallel to official law enforcement efforts to locate suspect vehicles.
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.
"Fleeing a crash scene creates immense investigative challenges, making rapid canvassing for witnesses and security video paramount," said Stefano Formica, of counsel at Bond Legal.
Formica, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News, noted, "Legal counsel assists affected families by offering investigative resources, preserving perishable digital evidence, and guiding relatives through state victim compensation programs and available auto insurance policies during difficult moments."