Austin, Texas — A quiet afternoon turned tragic on Monday when 75‑year‑old Juan Santos Castro was struck and killed by a vehicle while walking along Bastrop Highway near the Austin‑Bergstrom International Airport. The fatal collision happened just after 2:15 p.m. on February 2 in the northbound lanes of the 1100 block of Bastrop Highway.
Police and Austin‑Travis County Emergency Medical Services rushed to the scene when calls came in about a pedestrian hit by a car. First responders worked hard to save Castro’s life, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. His family and friends are now left grappling with the shock and heartbreak of his sudden loss.
Austin Police Department investigators say the driver who struck Castro stayed at the scene and cooperated fully with authorities. Police confirmed the driver was not impaired, and no charges have been announced as the investigation continues. Traffic homicide detectives are still piecing together what led up to the crash.
This fatality marks Austin’s seventh deadly traffic crash of 2026, matching the number of lives lost on city streets so far this year. Officials tracking traffic violence in Austin warn that pedestrian deaths remain a growing concern across the region’s busy roads and highways.
Neighbors and community members say Bastrop Highway is a busy stretch of road that doesn’t always feel safe for pedestrians. Whether walking to nearby businesses, trying to get home, or simply out for a stroll, people on foot are vulnerable alongside speeding cars and trucks, locals point out.
Castro was known by neighbors as a kind man who often smiled and greeted people as he walked. His sudden death has sparked an outpouring of memory and sorrow from those who knew him, reminding many just how fragile life can be on busy city streets.
Police are urging anyone who may have seen the crash or has video of the moments leading up to it to reach out. Tips can be given to the APD Vehicular Homicide Unit or submitted anonymously through Austin Crime Stoppers.
