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Bedias man hit by truck

A 33-year-old Bedias man died early Friday after being hit by a truck as he walked down a dark highway in Grimes County.

Phelogan Butaud was walking along Texas 90 about 50 feet north of Roans Prairie after his truck broke down, according to Department of Public Safety Trooper David Daley.

Butaud's vehicle, a 1979 Chevrolet truck, apparently stopped running, so he walked to a nearby bar at the corner of Texas 90 and Texas 30, Daley said. The trooper said Butaud attempted to call friends in hopes of finding a ride home less than five miles away, but was unsuccessful.

Bedias resident Janet Stine was driving north in her 1995 Ford truck when Butaud stepped out in front of her vehicle, Daley said, adding that the speed limit is 65 mph but it was unclear how fast she was driving.

Butaud, who was wearing brown boots, blue jeans and a brown shirt, had been headed north on the east side of the two-lane roadway with no shoulder room, he said.

Daley said the driver took evasive action in an attempt to avoid striking Butaud.

"He probably saw the headlights and he might have turned around to see if he could get a ride home," he said.

Grimes County Sheriff Don Sowell said the area where Butaud was hit is a dark location.

"You're in a rural area there, the only lights are going to be at stores," he said. "It's really a dangerous situation for pedestrians to walk on a highway whether it's daytime or nighttime. Any effort to avoid walking on the highway is recommended."

While Sowell said most people drive with high beams on at that time of night, even with light-colored clothes someone driving that fast would come up on objects quickly.

"You always have to be constantly observant of your surroundings," he said.

Sowell said officials still are speculating as to why Butaud stepped in front of the vehicle, but he does not believe it was to intentionally hurt himself.

"It's sad when something like this happens," he said.

• Cassie Smith's e-mail address is cassie.smith@theeagle.com.