Man running on freeway struck, killed

A man was killed late Wednesday after he attempted to cross Texas 288 and was struck by two vehicles, including one driven by a police officer.

The man had crossed the northbound lanes of the freeway and was in the southbound lanes when he was hit about 11:43 p.m. by the side mirror of a Houston police officer’s patrol car, which shattered, Assistant Chief Lori Bender said.

The man was then struck by another vehicle, which drove off, she said. Paramedics arrived and pronounced the man dead at the scene.

Police believe the second vehicle was responsible for the pedestrian’s fatal injury. Meanwhile, the initial stages of the investigation indicate the officer was not at-fault in the crash.

The officer, who was en route to Ben Taub Hospital on an assignment, reported glass in her eye, cuts to the left side of her face and back pain, Bender said.

The pedestrian has not been identified, Bender said. His identity is pending verification by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.

“We do not know why he was running across the freeway,” Bender said. “We really have very little to go on at this point.”

Anyone with information about the driver who fled the scene and failed to stop and render aid is urged to contact the HPD Hit and Run Unit at 713-2474065.