GRAPEVINE, Texas – A fixture in the Grapevine community died Monday morning after being hit by a car.
Police said 72-year-old Lesly Scribner was hit while trying to cross Highway 26 near Mustang Drive during rush hour.
“Apparently when he started to cross the cars were stopped. He didn’t make it through the lanes,” said Lt. Todd Dearing.
He died shortly after from head injuries, police said.
Few people knew the elderly man’s name, but many saw him walking every day towing toys around town.
“I’m quite sure a lot of other people have seen him. I’ve never been that up close, never heard him talk. I’ve just seen him dragging that car,” said Michael Curvey, who works in the area where Scribner was hit.
Longtime friend Paul Wright said Scribner was the last member of a historic Grapevine family. According to Wright, he had the mental capacity of a 12-year-old.
“He was very childlike, very trusting,” he said.
Wright said Scribner started walking when he lost his driving privileges. He’d sometimes cover 20 miles and visit neighboring cities such as Keller, Southlake and Roanoke. He’d tow his toys and try to sell them to make a little cash.
“He would get up in the morning and leave and got back sometimes after dark. That was his thing. That was Lesly,” Wright said.
Police are still investigating the accident, but said it may have been unavoidable. They said it was dark and Scribner was not at an intersection.
It is still unclear whether the driver will face charges, police said.
