Misti Hurst Killed in Odessa Pedestrian Accident
The 52-year-old woman was struck by a pickup truck while crossing FM 2020 early Tuesday
Pedestrian deaths continue to account for nearly one in five traffic deaths in Texas, a grim statistic reflected in a deadly collision early Tuesday in Ector County.
Misti Hurst, 52, of Odessa, was killed in a pedestrian accident on FM 2020 near Redondo Avenue on Aug. 4, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. The eastbound 2026 Ford F-250 struck the woman in the inside lane as she attempted to cross the road outside of a designated crosswalk.
Hurst was pronounced dead at the scene.
The 27-year-old driver of the pickup truck was not injured.
Investigators have not announced any charges.
The crash remains under investigation.
Why do pedestrian collisions occur on FM 2020?
While the specific cause of Tuesday's crash remains under investigation, pedestrian accidents such as this often require a full examination of environmental and infrastructure factors. Investigators will look at lighting conditions at 6:15 a.m., the speed of the oncoming pickup truck, and the availability of safe crossing points along the FM 2020 corridor.
According to the Texas Department of Transportation, 763 pedestrians were killed statewide in 2024, with a significant majority of those incidents occurring in dark or low-light conditions.
While preliminary reports do not indicate impairment, investigators routinely conduct toxicology screenings on drivers involved in fatal collisions.
Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, said, "Speed changes everything in a pedestrian crash, since higher velocity means less time to stop and more force at the moment of impact. Even a small rise in speed can turn a survivable collision into a fatal outcome within moments."
"A legal team representing surviving relatives usually pulls speed data, roadway measurements, and inspection reports to understand exactly what happened," added Bond, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News.
How does crossing outside a crosswalk impact an investigation?
When a pedestrian is struck outside a marked crosswalk, crash reconstructionists must determine the exact point of impact and the driver's line of sight. Investigators will analyze skid marks, vehicle damage, and event data recorders to establish the pickup truck's speed and braking timeline prior to the collision.
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.
"A careful crash reconstruction can help explain how a fatal collision likely happened without relying on guesses or early assumptions. That clearer picture can become very important later," said Stefano Formica, of counsel at Bond Legal.
Formica, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News, noted, "Legal counsel may coordinate independent experts while helping protect surviving relatives through complicated insurance matters and ongoing investigations."