Car Exiting Garage Fatally Strikes Pedestrian In South Austin

AUSTIN, TX — Police on Friday identified the pedestrian who was fatally struck by a car in the southwest portion of the city in late January.

Police were called to 4604 S. Lamar Blvd. just before 6 p.m. on Jan. 27 amid calls reporting a crash. Upon arrival, officers found the driver of a white Toyota RAV 4 and a pedestrian who was being treated medically by EMTs. A witness told police the driver was making a left turn from a parking garage when she struck a pedestrian. The driver told police she was unaware of having struck the woman with her car.

The pedestrian was identified as 62-year-old Susan Soheili. Police said she was transported to St. David's South Austin Medical Center with serious bodily injuries before she died the next day. Police did not indicate in their advisory whether the driver faces any charges.

While police continue to investigate, they urge anyone with information regarding this case to contact detectives at (512) 974-6935. Tips also can be submitted by downloading APD’s mobile app, Austin PD, for free on iPhone and Android.

The incident marked the city's seventh fatal traffic crash of 2021, police said, resulting in eight fatalities this year. At this time in 2020, police added, there were 12 traffic fatalities.