Case:           20-3530298
 
Date:            December 18, 2020

Time:            6:18 a.m.

Location:     3100 block of Highway 71 EB    

Deceased:   Jesse Jay Gomez Jr., White male, (D.O.B. 02-13-1985)

The preliminary investigation shows that pedestrian Jesse Gomez was in the 3100 block of Highway 71 just after 6 a.m. on December 18, 2020. Witnesses reported seeing him walking toward traffic, forcing multiple vehicles to swerve to avoid hitting him.

The driver of a black, 2016 Ford Expedition noticed vehicles ahead of him in the middle lane veering to the left. Assuming there was a traffic hazard ahead, he took evasive action and moved to the right, striking Jesse Gomez who was walking in the roadway.

Gomez was pronounced deceased on scene. The driver of the vehicle remained at the crash site. No charges are expected.

This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information regarding this case should call APD’s Vehicular Homicide Unit Detectives at (512) 974-6873. You can also submit tips by downloading APD’s mobile app, Austin PD, for free on iPhone and Android.

This is Austin’s 83^rd fatal traffic crash of 2020, resulting in 89 fatalities this year. At this time in 2019, there were 84 traffic fatalities.
 
These statements are from the initial assessment of the fatal crash and investigation is still pending. Fatality information may change.