EL PASO, Texas -- Sympathy is pouring out for a Fort Bliss soldier who was killed early Saturday morning on his way home after Halloween. El Paso police said he was crossing the street in the 4800 block of Dyer, when a truck hit him at around 2:30 a.m.

"I think it's tragic, terribly tragic,” said Grace Rendall of West El Paso.

"I think it's terrible that a soldier who can go across the country or halfway around the world, serves his country and comes home and is killed by some crazy driver not paying attention," said Sandra Brock, of West El Paso.

Fort Bliss said the deceased soldier is 23 year-old Spc. Joseph D. Binion. The army said he's from Chicago and was assigned to the 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade.

Officers said David Palacios was driving the blue Chevrolet Silverado truck that hit Binion and Palacios drove off after the accident.

"Palacios was located by special traffic investigators and was placed under arrest. He has been charged with intoxicated manslaughter and an accident causing personal injury or death," said El Paso Police spokesperson Darrel Petry.

"Whenever there's special events happening like Halloween, Fourth of July, I think there should be like a courtesy security taking care of the streets," said Jacob Brennan, of West El Paso.

Some said both drivers and pedestrians have to be careful on holidays such as Halloween.

"There were children that were running across the street with dark clothing right in front of me. It was frightening for me driving home last night," said Rendall.

El Paso police said there is a slight increase in traffic accident deaths. So far 52 people have died in car accidents, compared to 46 around this time last year.