16-Year-Old Girl Killed in Hit-and-Run Crash on Interstate 20 [Ector County, TX]

Ector County, TX (October 1, 2026) — A 16-year-old girl from Big Spring died after a hit-and-run crash on Interstate 20 in Ector County early Tuesday morning.

Authorities say that the crash happened around 2:45 a.m. near mile marker 100 on westbound I-20.

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, a 2015 Dodge Challenger, driven by 50-year-old Steven Paul Faust of Odessa, was traveling west in the inside lane when it struck the teenager, who was walking on the roadway.

The girl suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene. Faust left the crash site, but authorities later located him in Ward County. He was not injured in the collision.

Authorities have not released the teenager’s name because she was a minor. The Texas Highway Patrol continues to investigate the fatal hit-and-run, and authorities had not announced charges at the time of the report.

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Sweet Lawyers extends its deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the 16-year-old victim. Our hearts are with them as they mourn this tragic loss.

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Seek Justice After a Fatal Accident

It’s scary to think about how quickly life can change. Traffic accidents can happen anytime — on the way to work, picking up the kids, even just running to the store. According to the NHTSA, speeding alone caused nearly 12,000 deaths in 2023. That’s thousands of families who never got to say goodbye.

We don’t think about it much, but every time we get on the road, there’s a risk. And when something tragic happens, when someone you love doesn’t make it home, it’s completely devastating.

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If you’re in this situation, please know you don’t have to go through it alone. There are options, and there are people who want to help. Find justice and make sure your family is cared for.

Filing a wrongful death claim is a great step that you can take in this case. Keep in mind that it isn’t about putting a price on your departed loved one’s life; it’s more about finding justice for your loved one and easing some of the financial strain that came after the devastating accident.

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• Funeral and burial expenses,
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Contact Sweet Lawyers at (800) 674-7852 if you’ve lost a loved one in an accident. Our wrongful death attorneys have spent decades helping families find answers, justice, and financial support when they needed it most.