Premont Man, 37, Fatally Struck by Pickup While Crossing Business 281

Randy Davila, a 37-year-old Premont resident, died after being struck by a 2022 Chevrolet Silverado while crossing Business 281 from east to west at approximately 8:35 p.m. on Jan. 16. The driver stopped and summoned help; Davila was taken to Christus Spohn Hospital in Alice and was later airlifted to Corpus Christi for advanced care. Davila was pronounced dead early the next morning. The Texas Highway Patrol office in Alice is conducting the investigation.

The collision occurred on a stretch of Business 281 that functions as Premont’s main throughway for local traffic, farm vehicles, and commercial trucks. Nighttime pedestrian crossings on that corridor are common for residents walking to nearby stores, churches, and bus stops, and the Jan. 16 crash has prompted renewed attention to visible crossings, lighting and driver awareness in the town.

The driver of the Silverado remained at the scene and called for assistance, according to investigators. Emergency responders transported Davila first to Christus Spohn Hospital in Alice; the severity of his injuries required an airlift to a Corpus Christi facility. Officials pronounced Davila dead early the following morning, and the Texas Highway Patrol in Alice continues its fact-finding work into the sequence of events and contributing factors.

For Premont and Jim Wells County, the fatality is a blunt reminder of roadway safety risks after dark. Business 281 carries a mix of local and through traffic at varying speeds, and pedestrian-vehicle conflicts are more likely where marked crosswalks, sidewalks and lighting are limited. Community members and local leaders may face pressure to evaluate safety investments along 281, including improved street lighting, designated crossings, and clearer signage to reduce the risk of similar tragedies.

The investigation by the Texas Highway Patrol will determine findings such as vehicle speed, visibility conditions and whether any traffic-control measures were present at the crossing location. Those results could inform recommendations for law enforcement patrol patterns or infrastructure projects at the county or city level.

As the Davila family and friends grieve, residents should take caution when walking near Business 281 after dark and consider using well-lit routes. The broader question for the community is whether short-term measures or longer-term infrastructure changes can lower the risk of pedestrian fatalities on Premont’s main corridor. The Highway Patrol’s report will be watched closely for guidance on next steps.