Louisiana Man, 35, Killed When Struck on I-10 Westbound Near the Simmons Drive Overpass in Orange

Published by Dunk Law Firm

Published:

Branded Dunk Law Firm news card about the November 6, 2026, crash on Interstate 10 westbound near the Simmons Drive overpass in Orange, Texas, in which a 35-year-old pedestrian was killed, with the phone number 888-551-3865. The background is an AI-generated editorial illustration, not the actual crash scene: an empty divided highway in daylight with distant emergency lights.

ORANGE, Texas — A 35-year-old Louisiana man was killed on the morning of Friday, November 6, 2026, when he was struck on Interstate 10 westbound near the Simmons Drive overpass in Orange, police said. The Orange Police Department identified him as Joseph Hesse.

Officers responded to the reported auto-pedestrian crash at around 10:33 a.m. 12NewsNow reported that he was struck by an 18-wheeler; the Beaumont Enterprise, quoting Orange police spokesperson Sgt. Isaac Henry III, described a crash involving "a vehicle and a pedestrian." We report both descriptions and have not independently confirmed the type of vehicle.

Mr. Hesse was pronounced dead at the scene by Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 Judge Jenkins, who ordered an autopsy. The driver remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators, police said. The department's Detective Division is investigating, and police have not released what led to the collision. The roadway was shut down for several hours.

We extend our sympathy to Mr. Hesse's family and loved ones.

Key Facts

  • Location: Interstate 10 westbound near the Simmons Drive overpass, Orange (Orange PD)
  • Date and time: Friday, November 6, 2026; officers responded at around 10:33 a.m. (Orange PD)
  • Vehicle: Reported by 12NewsNow as an 18-wheeler; described by Orange police in the Beaumont Enterprise as "a vehicle." Not independently confirmed.
  • Death: Joseph Hesse, 35, of Louisiana, a pedestrian; pronounced dead at the scene, autopsy ordered (Orange PD; JP Pct. 2 Judge Jenkins)
  • Driver: Remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators (Orange PD)
  • Investigation: Orange Police Department Detective Division. Circumstances not released.

Sources checked as of November 11, 2026, 7:32 a.m. CST. This line is not the article's publication date.

Timeline of Official Statements and Reporting

  • Nov. 6, around 10:33 a.m.: Officers respond to an auto-pedestrian crash on I-10 westbound (Orange PD).
  • Following hours: The roadway is shut down for several hours (12NewsNow).
  • Nov. 9: Police identify Mr. Hesse (12NewsNow).
  • Nov. 10: The Beaumont Enterprise reports the identification with comments from Sgt. Isaac Henry III.

What Makes This Crash Different

A person on foot was struck on an interstate in daylight, and the sources we reviewed do not explain why he was on or near the highway. That is the first thing investigators will try to establish, along with where exactly he was when he was hit: in a travel lane, on a shoulder or near the overpass.

One outlet reported the vehicle was an 18-wheeler. If a commercial truck was involved, the records available can be very different from a passenger-car crash: the truck may carry an engine control module and electronic logging device, many fleets use forward-facing cameras, and the motor carrier keeps driver and maintenance files. Some of those records are kept for limited periods. A truck being involved does not mean the truck driver was at fault, and the driver here stayed at the scene and cooperated. Our guide to truck dashcam and GPS evidence explains why these records matter early.

Questions Investigators May Examine

  • Why Mr. Hesse was on foot on or near I-10, and whether a vehicle of his was disabled nearby; the sources do not say.
  • Where he was when struck: a travel lane, the shoulder or near the overpass.
  • What type of vehicle struck him, given the differing descriptions.
  • Any dashcam, engine data or electronic logging records if a commercial truck was involved.
  • What the autopsy ordered by the Justice of the Peace shows.

These are investigative questions, not allegations that any driver, agency or company caused the crash.

What Remains Unknown

  • Why he was on foot near the interstate.
  • Whether the vehicle was an 18-wheeler, as one outlet reported.
  • Whether any other vehicles were involved.
  • Whether any citations or charges will follow; police have released no findings.

Evidence to Preserve

  • Request the crash report when it is available (see below) and keep the report or case number.
  • Find out where each vehicle is. Vehicles can be held as evidence. A person with legal authority can ask that a vehicle be preserved before it is repaired, salvaged or destroyed, while respecting any law-enforcement hold.
  • Ask about video early. Tell investigators or a lawyer about businesses, traffic cameras or doorbell cameras near the Simmons Drive overpass on I-10. Recordings can be overwritten. Do not enter restricted property to get them.
  • If a commercial truck was involved, ask a lawyer about a preservation letter to the motor carrier for camera footage, engine data and electronic logging records, which may be kept for limited periods.
  • Keep original photos, texts and witness contact details without editing them. Access a deceased person's phone or accounts only with proper legal authority.
  • Keep financial, work and insurance records, including funeral costs, medical bills, pay stubs, policies and claim letters.

Our guide on evidence that can disappear after a vehicle collision explains why preservation can matter before an investigation ends. Avoid public accusations, and do not post private family documents.

How to get the crash report. Texas peace officer crash reports (CR-3) are sold through TxDOT's crash reports page and its CRIS purchase site. TxDOT lists $6 for a regular copy and $8 for a certified copy, plus a possible processing charge, and people outside the eligible categories receive a redacted copy. Officers generally have ten days to submit reports, which does not guarantee a report is available on day ten. Requests for scene photos, video or other investigation files go to the investigating agency (the Orange Police Department), not TxDOT.

What Families Should Know

This is general information about Texas law, not advice about anyone's claim, and it does not assume anyone is at fault.

Who can bring a wrongful death claim in Texas? Under Civil Practice and Remedies Code §71.004, a wrongful death action is for the exclusive benefit of the surviving spouse, children and parents of the person who died, and one or more of them may bring it for all of them. If none of them files within three calendar months after the death, the executor or administrator must bring it unless all of them ask otherwise. That three-month rule is not the overall filing deadline.

What is the deadline? CPRC §16.003(b) generally requires a suit for injury resulting in death to be brought within two years after the cause of action accrues, and it says the claim accrues on the death of the injured person. Tolling and special rules can apply, so nothing here is a calculated deadline for any family. A person who was injured but survived has a separate personal-injury provision in §16.003(a).

How does fault work? Under CPRC Chapter 33, a claimant found more than 50 percent responsible cannot recover damages, and a lower percentage reduces damages by that share. In a death case, the fault of the person who died can count. Fault is decided on the evidence, and the sources we reviewed do not make a final finding.

Damages. Texas wrongful death damages are awarded in proportion to the injury under §71.010, which does not state a fixed dollar ceiling. That does not mean "no caps" in every situation: exemplary (punitive) damages, claims against government entities and health-care claims follow separate rules that need individual legal review.

A wrongful death lawyer can explain these rules without assuming anyone is responsible. Before signing an insurance release, understand which claims it settles and whether you have authority to sign it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a pedestrian's family bring a claim if he was on the interstate? Possibly. Texas compares fault; a person found more than 50 percent responsible cannot recover, and a lower share reduces damages. Fault depends on facts that have not been released.

Mr. Hesse lived in Louisiana. Which state's law applies? The crash happened in Texas, and Texas law and courts are often involved, but where a claim is filed and which law applies can depend on the parties. A lawyer can review that.

Where is the crash report? The Orange Police Department's report is filed with TxDOT and can be purchased through CRIS once available.

How Dunk Law Firm Can Help

A case review can help identify which records to request, what evidence may need preserving, which insurance policies to look at and who may have authority to act. It cannot establish fault or promise compensation before the facts are known.

Dunk Law Firm handles wrongful death, catastrophic injury and commercial vehicle cases. Our Houston office serves families in Orange, Orange County and Southeast Texas and throughout Texas, and the firm also serves clients statewide in Tennessee, Missouri and Wisconsin, with offices in Memphis, St. Louis and Milwaukee. Dunk Law Firm does not contact families after a crash; if you have questions, reach out when you are ready.

For a free case review, call [888-551-3865](tel:+18885513865) or visit Dunk Law Firm. Help is available 24/7, with no upfront attorney fees. Ask about the written fee agreement and case expenses.

You do not need to have every document ready to ask an initial question.

Sources

Sources checked November 11, 2026, 7:32 a.m. CST.

1. 12NewsNow (KBMT): Louisiana man identified as pedestrian killed in I-10 crash in Orange — published 3:07 p.m. CST Nov. 9, 2026 2. Beaumont Enterprise: Orange police investigate fatal Interstate 10 crash — Nov. 10, 2026; quotes Sgt. Isaac Henry III

The images with this article are AI-generated editorial illustrations, not photographs of the actual scene.

Attorney advertising. General information, not legal advice. No outcome is guaranteed, and contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship. This report does not imply representation of anyone involved. Attorney review or approval is not claimed. Responsible attorney: Orville Dunk.