Teen killed after being struck in crosswalk

CINCO RANCH, TX (Covering Katy News) – A 14-year-old boy was killed riding his bike to Cinco Ranch High School on Thursday morning. The accident happened on South Mason Road near Creech Elementary School. Investigators say he was in a crosswalk when he was struck by a vehicle.

Mason Road was closed in the area near the accident while the investigation was ongoing.

The Sheriff's Office says the driver, Devin Delvalle, 20, remained at the scene and cooperated with deputies and investigators. He was charged with Motor Vehicle Collision Involving Pedestrian or Other Vulnerable Road User Within Area of a Crosswalk.

“This area was clearly marked, there was signage everywhere, all kind of warnings, this was very avoidable,” Fort Bend County District Attorney Brian Middleton said.

There have been reports that the flashing lights, activated by a button, may not have been working properly, but Middleton said that it does not matter.

“Whether they were flashing or not does not alleviate the responsibility to stop and yield,” Middleton said.

Two people reportedly stopped and attempted to help the teen, who was later pronounced dead at the scene.

The Lisa Torry Smith Act, named after a Fort Bend County mother who was killed in 2017 while using a crosswalk, recently became law and allows for stiffer penalties for drivers who seriously injure or kill a person or cyclist who is using a crosswalk.

The case remains under investigation by the Sheriff's Office.

"This is a very sad and tragic incident on both sides, for the driver, and especially for the victim's family," said Sheriff Eric Fagan. "Drivers need to slow down and pay attention, and that's extremely important in areas that are heavily traveled by children."

FBCSO

Devin Devalle

Fort Bend County government story disclaimer: Covering Katy owner Dennis Spellman is an employee of the Fort Bend County Precinct 3 Commissioner's Office.

Comments (10)

Comment Feed

Mason crosswalk warning lights now working

Thank You! for responding to posts that the warning lights at the fatal crosswalk on Mason Rd. were not working. For the first time in three years of crossing there, the flashing yellow lights worked this morning! (Saturday June 22, 2024 8:00am). All cars stopped on both sides of the median. May we who walk across, show our appreciation to drivers by a nod or wave of "Thank you". And, again, thank you who fixed them.

Oliver's Barbi 34 days ago

Katy teen killed in crosswalk, Sept 28, 2028

The longer we live, the more we want to know our life matters. In late September 2023, a 14- year old young man was bicycling to high school when he was struck in a crosswalk by a car, and he died. May it be of some comfort to his family and friends to know that his tragic death still matters to me, who did not know him, and to many other people then and now.
Often during the years before this accident I would ride my bicycle on bayou trails and then walk across So.Mason Rd. at this crosswalk, always pushing the button for "flashing lights" to stop traffic in both directions. (In all the many times I've driven my car there, never have I seen any "flashing lights" for pedestrian safe crossing.). I remember only one driver in four years, stopped. This morning at this crosswalk, and other times at other crosswalks, now drivers STOP. This is because of your son...your friend.
Regrettably, even driving the speed limit and watching carefully for walkers and bikers is not enough for safety at this crosswalk and some others on Mason Rd., Peek Rd., and Fry Rd. The low concrete walls along the bridge, and the high, thick bushes on both side of some crosswalks obscure a driver's view of any pedestrian or biker waiting for safe crossing.
Also regrettably, tho the high school student's name was kindly protected..the name and photo of the young man driving the car were published for all to see. I do not know him and the circumstance of the arrest, except that he remained at the scene of the accident and he accepted responsibility. His driving thru the crosswalk was no different from hundreds of other drivers.
May we all be more care-full. Thank you all, who now slow, watch, and STOP.

Barbara McCollom 102 days ago

See something say something

If you can take the time to comment here, why not take the same amount of time and send your comments to the county commissioner?

Mike 226 days ago

Lights not working

I use this crosswalk at least 3 times a week. It is on my way to my cycling route. I leave my house about 7am and traffic is busy. When the lights worked cars would stop immediately because they were flashing yellow. They haven't worked for weeks and I have to wait awhile because cars won't stop ....even when they see me waiting on my bike.
I did see maintenance workers a couple of weeks ago and was hopeful.
But no. In the dark the flashing yellow lights are definitely an attention getter to the vehicles. Been praying for the family since. I happened to be cycling that morning. 💔🙏

L.gates 301 days ago

Crosswalks

Literally no one in TX stops for crosswalks, even though it is the law!

Beth Donnelly 301 days ago

Crosswalk at S. Mason

I live near this crosswalk and drive it almost daily. It is a dangerous crossing. Visibility of people on the side of the road and in the middle of the road is not great. Speed limit on S. Mason is 40mph, I believe. Drivers are often going 45. In the morning people are speeding to work and school, so, maybe 50. At the time of this accident, it was still quite dark. I have always thought they need lights, both street lights and flashing lights for pedestrians at this crosswalk. I hope they do something now.

Lloyd 302 days ago

Lights

There already are both flashing lights (may not have been working) and street lights at both crosswalks here. There are also lots of signs. No good excuse for a driver not knowing there is a crosswalk.

David 301 days ago

Crosswalk

I also live in the area and agree it is too dangerous. I am hoping they change the crosswalk. That statement by the officer that “all the signs were there” is not really true. It is very hard to see when someone is crossing.

Melissa 301 days ago

Agreed! This crosswalk is very dangerous!

I also live near this crosswalk. The crosswalk design is very unusual as there are two crosswalks, one at each end of a bridge entrance. The bridge has high concrete walls, making it difficult to see pedestrians alongside the roadway. Oftentimes, you cannot see someone attempting to cross at this crosswalk until you are right on top of them. If you add in the 40 mph speed limit that was increased from 35 mph about a year ago and the fact that this crash occurred at dawn when there is less light, it's no wonder something like this happened. I've often told myself that this crosswalk is dangerous and someone would eventually be injured or killed. When the county designed the hike/bike trails that connect to this crosswalk, they should have routed the pathways underneath the bridge to avoid the need for pedestrians and cyclists to cross four lanes of traffic. Fort Bend County should be held liable for creating a dangerous crosswalk that led to this accident.

Brian 301 days ago

Absolutely agree

I agree with everything Brian stated. Visibility at this crosswalk is terrible for the vehicles and pedestrians. It’s always scared me. And I don’t understand why the flashing lights are yellow instead of red.

Melissa T 296 days ago