More than a year after a deadly hit-and-run in Dallas claimed the life of 23-year-old Seth Rains, four new indictments have been filed in the case against the man accused of hitting him.
The indictments were filed this week against Jose Antonio Hernandez De Leon, who is charged in connection with the crash that killed Rains.
According to the indictment documents, Hernandez De Leon allegedly knowingly failed to immediately stop after the crash. The documents also allege he was driving at a speed that was not reasonable or prudent for the circumstances, at an unsafe speed above the posted limit and within the area of a crosswalk, causing serious bodily injury to Rains.
Rains’ parents spoke with WFAA the day after the indictments were filed, reflecting on the long wait for their son’s case to move forward.
“That journey is, you know, something that we never signed up for,” Rains’ father Clint said.
“You wouldn’t wish it on your worst enemy,” he continued.
Rains’ mother, Cyndi, said their family is grateful to see the indictments move forward.
“We are thankful that he was indicted on all charges for sure,” she said.
Rains was walking through the Dallas Design District after attending a concert on the night of July 26, 2025, when he was struck by a vehicle, according to court documents and previously reported information.
Dallas Police responded to the crash around 2:40 a.m. July 27 at the intersection of Turtle Creek Boulevard and Market Center Boulevard. Investigators determined a vehicle had struck a pedestrian and left the scene.
Dallas-Fire Rescue transported Rains to a hospital, where he died. The Dallas County Medical Examiner later identified him as the victim.
Rains graduated from Mansfield Summit High School in 2020 and Texas Tech University in 2024. His family says the past 14 months have been incredibly difficult.
“I know I would like to tell [De Leon], you know, how he, you know, destroyed our family, and it’s been the most difficult 14 months of our life that we’ve ever experienced,” Cyndi said. “Our lives will never be the same.”
The family said knowing Seth is in heaven has brought them peace as they continue through the legal process.
Meanwhile, Rains’ legacy is continuing at his alma mater. Texas Tech University is creating a scholarship in his honor.
The family said $25,000 was raised in just five months to establish the scholarship, which will provide an annual opportunity for students following a path similar to Seth’s.
“It’s amazing all of the people that have extended love towards my family,” Clint said. “I will never be able to pay them back for it.”
For Rains’ parents, however, the legal process is far from over.
“It just got started,” they said. “We are still waiting for him to plead guilty, not guilty, so no closure at all. This is ongoing.”
The family says they expect a sense of closure will come only after the case is resolved and a sentence is handed down.