Former Star-Telegram sportswriter hit by SUV in Arlington dies in hospital
A former Fort Worth Star-Telegram sportswriter died in an Arlington hospital Friday, almost two weeks after he was hit by an SUV while on a morning run near his home.
Carlos Mendez, 57, covered high school sports, the Dallas Cowboys, the Texas Rangers, TCU and NASCAR in his nearly 20-year career at the Star-Telegram.
Arlington police officers responded to the accident in the 5900 block of Kelly Elliott Road about 7:30 a.m. on Oct. 27, police said in a news release on Tuesday.
When officers arrived, they found that Mendez was seriously injured after being struck by an SUV. He was taken to Medical City Arlington hospital, where he later died.
Accident investigators determined that the driver of the SUV made a turn on a green turn signal and hit Mendez as he walked into the crosswalk, police said. The driver immediately stopped, stayed at the scene and cooperated with investigators, police said.
Mendez was using a designated crosswalk when he was struck.
No criminal charges have been filed in connection to the accident, police said.
Earlier in his career, Mendez worked at the San Angelo Standard-Times and the San Antonio Express-News. He won multiple writing awards, including being named one of the Top 10 Sports Feature Writers in the U.S., according to his obituary.
After leaving the Star-Telegram, Mendez worked as a researcher and writer for Panini America, where he spent the last seven years.
He is survived by family including his wife, Cindy; daughter, Crystal Clay of Jersey City, N.J.; and two sons, Samuel Alexander Mendez and Luke William Mendez, both of Arlington.
Visitation is scheduled for 10-11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12, at CrossPoint Church of Christ, 3020 Bardin Road in Grand Prairie, followed by a Celebration of Life service at 11 a.m.
This story was originally published November 11, 2025 at 2:06 PM.