Comedian, 29, struck by vehicle near Interstate 345 ramp on Elm Street
DALLAS, TX, (August 23, 2025) - A 29-year-old comedian was killed early Saturday morning in a hit-and-run crash in Dallas, police said.
Henry Jose Cruz was heading home from a performance at Shark's Comedy Club when a vehicle struck him at Elm Street and the I-345 ramp.
Authorities identified the victim as Dallas comic Henry Jose Cruz, who had been walking home from a show at Shark's Comedy Club around 2:15 a.m. when he was struck at Elm Street and the Interstate 345 ramp.
Friends who were with Cruz said they went up to Elm Street to call an Uber. When the sidewalk ended, they crossed the I-345 exit ramps. A speeding car reportedly swerved, jumped the curb onto the median, and hit Cruz.
The vehicle fled the scene. Witnesses described it only as being dark in color.
Cruz was taken to a hospital, where he later died.
Friends remembered Cruz as a source of positivity and laughter, always smiling and generous. A memorial show in his honor will take place at Shark's on Saturday at 7 p.m. to celebrate his life and raise funds for his family.
FATAL PEDESTRIAN HIT-AND-RUN ACCIDENT
The investigation into Cruz's death continues. The driver that struck him and fled the scene likely will be criminally charged when apprehended. After all, leaving the scene of an accident is a crime, and statistics sadly indicate that more than one hit-and-run crash occurs every minute on roads in this country.
Many suspects flee the scene because they are intoxicated, driving without a license, or are concerned about being arrested if they remain at the scene.
Candice Bond, an experienced hit-and-run accident attorney, said in cases such as this that it is imperative to have an independent investigation conducted by a seasoned attorney in a timely manner to protect the family of a victim’s rights.
“Having the proper resources is extremely important in order to investigate a hit-and-run accident case and prove negligence,” said Bond, Managing Partner of Bond Legal and a national analyst for The Legal Advocate. “Road conditions, signage visibility, and road lighting are all possible contributing factors that are considered and must be thoroughly examined. These procedures are necessary for helping those who has lost a loved one at the hands of a hit-and-run driver receive the justice and monetary compensation that they deserve. An attorney can also ensure that hit-and-run drivers are held accountable for their reckless actions.”
Approximately 2,000 people are killed each year in hit-and-run crashes in the United States. Even more alarming is that since 2009, hit-and-run deaths have increased by about 7% each year.
There were 768 pedestrian fatalities in Texas in 2024, according to the Department of Transportation. The department released data noting that one person was killed every 2 hours, 7 minutes in a traffic accident in Texas, with one reportable crash occurring every 57 seconds.
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
Pending the results of the investigation, the family of Henry Jose Cruz may be entitled to a wrongful death claim for medical and funeral expenses, the loss of love and companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional trauma.
“An incident is considered a wrongful death when either a person or entity commits a wrongful or negligent act resulting in a person's death,” said Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal. “When vehicle accident fatalities result from unsafe driving, aggressive or distracted driving, speeding, hit-and-run, or driving under the influence, family members are usually left with the option to pursue a civil action against the responsible motorist.”
If you’ve been injured or lost a loved one in a hit-and-run, national legal analyst Candice Bond is available for a free, no-obligation consultation.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).
Tags: Latest News, Non Commercial, Pedestrian Accident, Texas, Fatal Crash, Hit And Run, Dallas, Comedian, Elm Street, Interstate 345 Ramp