Red Oak juvenile killed crossing I-35

RED OAK – On Monday, April 28 around 9:47 p.m., dispatchers at the Northern Ellis Emergency Dispatch Center received a 9-1-1 call about a major accident involving a motor vehicle and a pedestrian in the southbound lanes of the 400 block of South Interstate Highway 35E. 

A juvenile male attempted to cross N I-35 East to West with some friends when he made it to the Jersey barrier, jumped it, and crossed the southbound lanes.  

He lost one of his Crocs (shoes) and in an attempt to retrieve it, in the lane of traffic, was struck by a motorist in the number one lane of the highway S/B, instantly killing him.  

Red Oak Police Department and Red Oak Fire Rescue personnel were dispatched to the scene to investigate. 

The Red Oak Police Department is conducting an investigation and reconstructing the scene of the accident for further investigations, and no charges are anticipated at this time.  

The driver of the vehicle involved did not exhibit any signs of intoxication or impairment. 

Based on the preliminary investigation, the vehicle was traveling southbound in the 400 block of Interstate Highway 35E when the driver encountered a pedestrian in the roadway.

The vehicle took evasive action, but struck the pedestrian in the roadway. The pedestrian sustained life-ending injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Justice of the Peace. 

Red Oak Independent School District is preparing with counseling staff to address this death within the school district.