Missouri City woman’s death sparks new pedestrian crosswalk law

After her death, a grand jury did not prosecute the defendant in Torry Smith’s case, prompting Brian Middleton, Fort Bend County district attorney, to draft the legislation. Working with the bill’s author state Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, and sponsor, state Rep. Ron Reynolds, D-Missouri City, Middleton and other supporters advocated for its passage.

Middleton said the law aims to clarify the definition of criminal negligence as it pertains to collisions in a crosswalk. Under the new law, if a driver causes bodily injury to a pedestrian, they can be charged with a Class A misdemeanor. If the collision causes severe injury or death, the driver can be charged with a state jail felony, Middleton said.

Additionally, Middleton said the law updated the Texas Transportation Code to require drivers to stop and yield to pedestrians legally using a crosswalk.

Pedestrian deaths account for one in five of all traffic fatalities, and the number of pedestrian fatalities from vehicular crashes rose 5% from 2016-20, according to TxDOT.

“We’re hoping these efforts raise people’s awareness that when they are approaching a crosswalk area, they need to slow down, be observant and check the area for pedestrians, cyclists and people with motorized mobility devices,” Middleton said.