News Summary
A tragic hit-and-run incident in downtown Austin resulted in the death of a 20-year-old woman, Erica Garza, after being struck by a vehicle. The driver, Lily Bao Do, has been charged with serious felonies including collision involving death. Witnesses reported a blue sedan speeding away from the scene. The case highlights the dangers of reckless driving and has brought the community together to support Garza’s family, who raised significant funds for medical and funeral costs.
Austin
Lily Bao Do, a 28-year-old woman, surrendered to law enforcement on May 20, 2025, after being charged in connection with a fatal hit-and-run incident that occurred in downtown Austin. The incident, which resulted in the death of 20-year-old Erica Garza, took place on May 11, 2025, at approximately 4:59 a.m. in the 700 block of East Seventh Street.
During the incident, Do’s vehicle struck three pedestrians before fleeing the scene, traveling northbound on the I-35 frontage road. Garza suffered critical injuries as a result of the collision and ultimately was declared brain dead. She was taken off life support on May 16, 2025, and subsequently died. The two other pedestrians involved sustained only minor injuries.
Law enforcement officials have charged Do with two serious offenses: collision involving death, a second-degree felony, and collision involving injury, a third-degree felony. Witnesses provided key information about the crash, including reports of a blue sedan speeding away from the scene.
The Austin Police Department’s Vehicular Homicide unit is continuing to investigate the case, gathering evidence and conducting interviews. The tragic event marks Austin’s 30th fatal crash of 2025, contributing to a total of 34 fatalities this year alone.
In the aftermath of Garza’s death, a GoFundMe campaign was initiated by friends and family to assist with medical and funeral expenses, successfully raising over $13,000. The community has rallied around Garza’s family as they cope with this devastating loss.
Authorities utilized footage from HALO cameras during the investigation, identifying Do as the owner of the vehicle involved through the use of Flock license plate reader cameras. The ongoing investigation seeks to bring to light all circumstances surrounding the incident.
Erica Garza had recently graduated and was excitedly starting two new jobs while in the process of purchasing her first car, marking a hopeful new chapter in her life. Her untimely death has left a profound impact on her family and friends, who mourn the future she will never have.
As the investigation continues, the Austin Police Department encourages anyone with further information related to the hit-and-run to reach out to their Vehicular Homicide unit or to contact Capital Area Crime Stoppers anonymously. This case serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers on the road and the tragic consequences that can arise from reckless driving.
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Additional Resources
- CBS Austin
- Wikipedia: Austin
- KVUE
- Google Search: Austin Hit and Run
- FOX 7 Austin
- Google Scholar: Austin Traffic Incidents
- KXAN
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Hit and Run Cases
- KVUE
- Google News: Seventh Street Crash
Author: STAFF HERE AUSTIN WRITER
The AUSTIN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAustinTX.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Austin, Travis County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as SXSW, Austin City Limits Music Festival, Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, and the Austin Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce and Visit Austin, plus leading businesses in technology, automotive, and retail that power the local economy such as Dell Technologies, Tesla, and Apple. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
