A tragic accident claimed the life of a Burkburnett resident over the weekend. This past Sunday, in the early morning hours, a pedestrian was struck by an automobile. The pedestrian was hit and killed in the southbound lane of I-44. The victim, Christopher Gatlin Smith, was a 28 year old airman. He was a Burkburnett resident, stationed at Sheppard Air Force Base. He was struck on I-44, north of Missile Road. The accident occurred just after 1:30 a.m. Smith was hit by a driver in a sport utility vehicle. Emergency responders were on the scene swiftly. Unfortunately, Smith was pronounced dead on the scene.
The victim, a technical sergeant at Sheppard Air Force Base, was walking along the right lane of southbound I-44. It is still unclear what Smith was doing on the road at such a late hour. Smith was assigned to the 361st Training Squadron at Sheppard Air Force Base. Officials have stated that the driver of the SUV was a 55 year old woman from Wichita Falls. Her identity has not yet been released. Officials have not released any information regarding possible contributing factors either.
While the investigation is still underway, plenty of questions remain. How did the SUV driver hit him? Was there a roadway safety issue? Did the SUV have a mechanical failure of some sort? Was the driver negligent in some way? Details on the make and model of the SUV have not been released. Sergeant John Spragins of Wichita Falls Police Department has stated that no criminal charges have been filed against the driver of the SUV. The investigation is still underway. Officials have not released all of the details regarding this case. New developments and evidence may be uncovered to determine who was at fault for this tragic accident.
A Texoma personal injury laywer could stay on top of critical case developments. It is up to police officers and investigative officials to determine what factors may have contributed to this terrible accident. Staying on top of investigative developments is vital. Contacting an experienced Texoma personal injury lawyer following a pedestrian accident is crucial. The family of the deceased may wish to file a wrongful death lawsuit. An experienced attorney will be able to navigate the complex issues surrounding this type of case. The team at Altman Legal Group offers their deepest condolences to the family members and friends of the deceased.