A 60-year-old New Braunfels man has been charged with criminally negligent homicide following a fatal pedestrian crash that occurred on February 23, 2026, in Texas. The collision happened around 5:45 p.m. in the 200 block of North Seguin Avenue.
New Braunfels Police identified the victim as 60-year-old Stephanie Madzy. According to investigators, the dump truck driver was stopped at a red light and then failed to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians while making a right turn. The truck struck Madzy during the turn. Despite life-saving efforts by first responders, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Right-of-Way Violations and Pedestrian Safety
Commercial vehicles, including dump trucks, have significant blind spots and require careful scanning before turning. When a driver fails to properly check crosswalks or pedestrian pathways before executing a turn, the consequences can be catastrophic.
A fatal pedestrian accident often centers on whether the driver obeyed traffic control signals and yielded as required by law. Investigators will typically review the official accident report, evaluate the timing of the signal cycle, and examine whether the pedestrian had the right-of-way.
Turning movements at intersections are particularly dangerous for pedestrians. Even at low speeds, the size and weight of a dump truck can result in fatal blunt-force trauma.
Proving Liability in a Fatal Pedestrian Crash
Criminal charges are separate from civil liability. A criminal prosecution focuses on whether the driver violated criminal statutes. A civil claim focuses on compensation for the victim’s surviving family members.
To recover damages, families must prove negligence and causation — that the driver’s failure to yield directly caused the death. This requires evidence such as:
- Intersection layout and signal timing
- Scene measurements and vehicle positioning
- Eyewitness accounts
- Available surveillance footage
- Vehicle inspection and braking analysis
Commercial vehicle cases may also involve questions of company responsibility, supervision, and training. In some situations, legal theories such as vicarious liability will likely apply if the driver was acting within the course and scope of employment.
Damages Available to Surviving Family Members
A fatal pedestrian collision may give rise to a wrongful death claim and potentially a survival claim under Texas law.
Compensation may include:
- economic damages such as funeral costs and lost financial support
- non-economic damages including mental anguish and loss of companionship
In some cases, allegations may rise to the level of gross negligence depending on the facts developed during litigation, allowing the potential recovery of punitive damages.
Because the Plaintiff in a civil case must meet the applicable burden of proof, thorough documentation and early investigation are critical.
The Importance of Early Evidence Preservation
Critical proof in pedestrian crashes can disappear quickly. Commercial vehicles may be repaired or returned to service. Intersection data may be overwritten. Video recordings may be automatically deleted.
Issuing a preservation letter can help protect important materials and reduce the risk of spoliation of evidence.
An experienced personal injury lawyer can act quickly to secure documents, maintenance records, and electronic data before it is lost.
Contact Spagnoletti Law Firm
Fatal pedestrian crashes involving commercial vehicles are devastating for families and often involve complex legal and evidentiary issues. When a driver fails to yield the right-of-way, accountability requires careful investigation and strong proof.
Spagnoletti Law Firm represents families in serious injury and wrongful death cases throughout Texas. Our accident attorneys work with crash reconstruction professionals and investigators to determine what happened and to pursue full compensation under the law.
If your family has lost a loved one in a pedestrian collision, call Spagnoletti Law Firm at 713-804-9306. You may also contact us online to request a confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights.