Harris County deputies are renewing their public appeal in a deadly hit-and-run that has remained unsolved for over a year, claiming the life of 78-year-old Jerald Wayne Skaines.
The crash happened on the 29000 block of Old Washington Road in the Waller area, sometime during the night of May 23, 2025, or in the early hours of May 24. Investigators say Skaines was walking near the center of the westbound lane when a pickup truck struck him and kept going. Waller County first responders arrived at the scene but found no signs of life.
Deputies say the vehicle that hit Skaines briefly skidded to a stop roughly 100 yards away before the driver fled without rendering aid or calling for help.
Authorities believe the vehicle involved is a 1994–2001 Dodge Ram pickup, a detail they hope will jog the memory of anyone who may have seen the truck around the time of the crash. Investigators say Skaines failed to yield the right of way before being struck, but stress that does not excuse the driver’s decision to leave him on the road.
This case mirrors a troubling pattern playing out across the country. Roughly one in four pedestrian deaths now involves a hit-and-run, and larger vehicles like pickups and SUVs are increasingly involved in these collisions, making them harder to identify and easier for drivers to flee unnoticed.
Under Texas law, leaving the scene of a crash that results in death is treated as a second-degree felony, with drivers legally required to stop, check for injuries, and remain until aid and reporting requirements are met.
The case remains active. Anyone with information — including residents who may have dashcam or doorbell footage from the night of May 23 or 24, 2025 — is urged to call the Harris County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency line at 713-221-6000 or Crime Stoppers of Houston at 713-222-8477. Tips can be submitted anonymously and may qualify for a reward.
