Nov. 10, 2026, 4:52 p.m. MT
Questions and allegations are swirling regarding the death of a young El Paso woman who was fatally struck by an SUV while lying on a Lower Valley roadway.
El Paso Police Department officials on Tuesday, Nov. 10, publicly identified the woman as 18-year-old Mary Louise Brooks, a 2026 graduate and former standout basketball player at Americas High School.
“She brought lots of life to our program,” said Americas coach Teisha King, who coached Brooks for four years. “I am grateful for the memories we shared. Getting to know her and what motivated her. She was an amazing person and and she was a great teammate, who was motivated to do great things.”
Brooks made the 2026 El Paso All-District girls basketball team.
Accusations and allegations that Brooks may have been the victim of a homicide have spread on social media and questions remain as to why she was on the street when she was struck by an SUV and killed.
Brooks death remains under investigation by the EPPD Special Traffic Investigations Unit, which handles all traffic-related deaths, police spokeswoman Detective Judy Oviedo said on Tuesday.
Investigators have not made a determination if Brooks’ death was an accident, suicide or homicide, Oviedo said.
“They are looking at all angles,” Oviedo added.
Why was Mary Brooks lying on a street?
The fatal pedestrian crash occurred about 10:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, in the 9000 block of North Loop Drive, east of Zaragoza Road, police said.
A black 2010 Chevrolet Equinox driven by a 60-year-old El Paso man was eastbound on North Loop when the SUV struck a pedestrian who was lying down on the roadway, police said.
The pedestrian, later identified as Brooks, died at the scene.
Anyone with any information on the death of Mary Brooks may call the EPPD nonemergency line at 915-832-4400 or may anonymously call Crime Stoppers of El Paso at 915-566-8477 (TIPS).
Daniel Borunda may be reached at dborunda@elpasotimes.com and @BorundaDaniel on X.