On Monday, February 16, 2026, a tragic collision in Orange, Texas, claimed the life of 63-year-old Gary Louis Stephens, who was struck by two vehicles after entering the roadway on his birthday. The incident occurred at approximately 7:01 p.m. in the 1700 block of MacArthur Drive, a thoroughfare near Lions Den Park, prompting an immediate response from the Orange Police Department and emergency medical personnel.
According to witnesses at the scene, Stephens walked into oncoming traffic and was struck first by one vehicle, then by a second vehicle as he lay in the roadway. Officers arrived to find Stephens unconscious and immediately performed CPR before Acadian Ambulance transported him to CHRISTUS St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont in critical condition. Despite all life-saving efforts, Jefferson County Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace Justin Chesson confirmed that Stephens died Monday night at the hospital, and an autopsy has been ordered.
Orange Police Captain B. Lovelace confirmed that both drivers involved in the collision remained at the scene and have been cooperating fully with investigators. The City of Orange Criminal Investigation Division has taken the lead in investigating the case, speaking with individuals at the scene and working to determine the precise circumstances that led to the fatal incident.
The Orange Police Department officially identified the victim as Gary Louis Stephens, a 63-year-old man whose birthday fell on the same day he died. The tragic coincidence has added another layer of sorrow for his family, who now face the difficult task of mourning a loved one lost on what should have been a day of celebration.
The investigation remains active as authorities continue to gather information about the collision. All parties involved have been cooperative with police, and no charges have been announced at this time. The 1700 block of MacArthur Drive, a busy roadway in Orange, has been the focus of the ongoing inquiry as investigators work to piece together the events leading to the fatal pedestrian accident.
The Orange community now holds the family of Gary Louis Stephens in their thoughts as they navigate this unimaginable loss. A man who entered the roadway on a Monday evening, on the day he turned 63, was struck and killed in a tragic chain of events that has left loved ones grieving and seeking answers. The Orange Police Department continues its investigation and will release further information as it becomes available.