A beloved presence in the hearts of many, Mary Perez will always be remembered for the deep, grandmotherly love that guided her final steps to pick up her grandchild. The 70-year-old Wichita Falls resident lost her life in a terrible accident on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, outside Crockett Elementary School.
The tragic accident happened shortly before 4:00 p.m. in the 1900 block of Arthur Street, near the busy school intersection. Perez was crossing the street in the designated student pickup area when she stepped between a black Hyundai Santa Fe and a gray Hyundai Santa Fe that had started to move forward in the line.
According to the official police investigation, the driver of the black Hyundai stated she applied the brakes to stop for Perez, but her foot then slipped off the brake pedal and hit the accelerator. This caused her vehicle to lurch forward, pinning Perez between the two SUVs.
The force of the impact was severe enough that the gray Hyundai was pushed into a third vehicle, a blue Honda Odyssey, that was also in the pickup line. Emergency responders rushed Mary Perez to a local hospital, where she was later pronounced dead. The drivers of the vehicles involved sustained only minor injuries.
In the wake of the tragedy, Crockett Elementary School took immediate steps to support its community. The school announced that additional counselors were made available on campus for students, staff, and families who may have witnessed the incident or been affected by it. A school Facebook post expressed that their thoughts and prayers were with Perez’s family, the driver involved, and all those touched by the event.
The accident has highlighted the inherent dangers and congestion in school pickup zones, especially during dismissal times. Authorities continue to review the exact circumstances of the incident. Mary Perez is survived by her family, including the grandchild she was there to meet.
