Police identified the victim as 53-year-old Debbra Gail Daniel; family members knew her as Debbra Mease.
ROCKPORT, Texas — A 53-year-old pedestrian was struck and killed Monday evening at Business State Highway 35 and West Corpus Christi Street minutes after helping an older man cross the intersection, according to authorities and her husband.
Police said the collision remains under investigation and no charges have been filed. The driver, an 81-year-old woman, was taken to a hospital for evaluation. Family identified the victim as Debbra Mease, a retired nurse who worked with her husband in a small food business. Police listed her as Debbra Gail Daniel in initial reports. The death has renewed safety concerns at the crossing, where residents say traffic has increased with nearby road changes and the evening light can be uneven.
Officers were called shortly after 6:30 p.m. Monday. Investigators said the woman had escorted an elderly man across Business 35, then began to cross back when an SUV struck her in the roadway. She died at the scene. Her husband, Donald Mease, said she had planned to stop for snacks after a day making tamales for their customers. “Every day was joyful with her,” Mease said, describing a partner who “helped everyone” and often prayed with strangers she thought needed comfort. The couple, both longtime Rockport residents, had spent the afternoon preparing holiday orders.
Investigators collected statements and are reviewing how traffic flowed through the intersection at the time. Police said the driver remained at the scene and cooperated. As of Tuesday, officials had not announced any citations or arrests and did not release further details about vehicle speed, lighting conditions, or whether impairment was suspected. The department confirmed the victim’s age as 53 and noted that the man she helped was uninjured. Authorities said additional findings will be forwarded to prosecutors for review once collision reconstruction is complete.
Relatives said Mease retired from nursing and poured her energy into Don Tamales, the family’s business. Friends described her as generous and quick to spot someone who needed help. Residents who live and work near the crossing said traffic along Business 35 has grown heavier, particularly since roadway changes on nearby corridors redirected drivers through Rockport. Some neighbors say dusk can be a difficult time for visibility at the junction, where headlights, storefront lighting and gaps between signals can make it harder for motorists to see pedestrians.
City officials have not announced any engineering changes at the intersection. Mease’s husband said he hopes the review considers lighting and traffic control, including the possibility of flashers or a signal timed for pedestrians. Police said crash data and witness interviews will guide any recommendations. If investigators determine criminal violations, those findings would go to the district attorney’s office for possible charges. Police said they expect to release a summary once the reconstruction report is finalized.
On Tuesday, a small memorial of flowers appeared near the corner where Mease was struck. Customers from their business called to say orders could wait, her husband said, adding that he plans to return to work after taking time to grieve. “She gave me inspiration,” he said. Neighbors recalled seeing her on evening walks and at the beach. A relative said the family is making funeral arrangements and will share service details when set.
As of Sunday afternoon, police said the case remains open. The next public update is expected after investigators complete their timeline and submit a report for review.
Author note: Last updated December 28, 2025.