Richard Hayes Killed in Amarillo Pedestrian Accident
Five-vehicle collision leaves one dead and three injured at Lakeside Drive intersection
Richard Hayes, 67, was killed in a pedestrian crash involving five vehicles at Lakeside Drive and Triangle Drive on Wednesday, the Amarillo Police Department said.
Clear weather conditions did not prevent the chain-reaction collision on the busy roadway, where multiple drivers were forced to react to an initial hazard. A Chevrolet pickup pulling a trailer turned south onto Lakeside Drive and was struck by a northbound pickup, prompting the passengers to exit their vehicles and stand in the road. A northbound Toyota SUV avoided the wreckage. However, a northbound Jeep SUV swerved to avoid the initial crash and was rear-ended by a Mitsubishi SUV.
The impact pushed the Jeep into three pedestrians, including Hayes, standing outside their vehicles. The Jeep and Mitsubishi then struck the rear of the Toyota SUV.
Hayes suffered life-threatening injuries. Paramedics transported him to a local hospital, where he later died.
Two other pedestrians and the driver of the Jeep SUV were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The investigation continues. Police have not announced any citations related to the collision.
How common are multi-vehicle pedestrian accidents in Texas?
Pedestrians are involved in only 1% of Texas traffic crashes but account for approximately 19% of roadway deaths, according to TxDOT data. In pedestrian accidents such as this, crash reconstruction investigators examine how initial roadway hazards contribute to secondary impacts.
Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, said, "Distracted driving remains a leading cause of fatal pedestrian crashes, since a brief glance toward a phone removes crucial moments needed to notice a pedestrian crossing ahead. Fatal crashes tied to distraction involve disputes over phone records and whether attention stayed on the roadway."
"Serving as an advocate, an attorney subpoenas carriers and data systems to establish the lapse source," added Bond, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News.
What happens next in the Amarillo police investigation?
Investigators will analyze skid marks, vehicle damage, and event data recorders to determine the sequence of impacts and the speeds of the involved vehicles. Establishing the timeline of the initial pickup collision versus the subsequent SUV impacts is critical for understanding how the pedestrians were exposed to oncoming traffic.
Texas pedestrian fatalities remain a critical safety issue, with the state recording 772 pedestrian deaths in 2024, according to the Texas Department of Transportation.
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.
"Pedestrians are entitled to the same legal protections as every other person using a public roadway, even though they have far less physical protection during a crash," said Stefano Formica, of counsel at Bond Legal.
Formica, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News, noted, "An attorney may help safeguard important evidence, supporting surviving relatives while protecting those rights throughout the investigation."