A young attorney with a bright future was tragically killed in Dallas after a drunk driver lost control of his Tesla and slammed into her car, police have stated. In a shocking twist, the accused driver allegedly attempted to blame his own mother for the fatal collision.
A Promising Life Cut Short
Emma Hackney, 29, a law graduate from Southern Methodist University and an attorney at the prestigious firm Jackson Walker LLP, was pronounced dead at the scene on Sunday evening. The incident occurred in the uptown area of Dallas when her Porsche was struck from behind while stationary at a red light.
According to arrest warrant affidavits, the driver responsible was Preston Petty, 26. Officers reported smelling alcohol on Petty and noted that his account of events 'kept changing and not making sense'. Police say Petty denied being intoxicated but admitted he was on his way home to 'drink wine'. He initially refused a blood alcohol test, forcing officers to obtain a warrant.
Witness Describes Chaotic and High-Speed Collision
Jason Keeling, a Lyft driver who witnessed the crash, told local media he saw the Tesla speeding around a corner moments before the wreck. 'I looked up, saw the Tesla coming… going way too fast,' Keeling said. 'I realized he wasn't making the turn. He went straight and took out two trees… and it didn't appear to slow down.'
Keeling described how the Tesla then struck a median, became airborne, and collided with Hackney's vehicle, flipping it across the road before landing on top of it. The front of the Tesla was reportedly wedged into a tree. 'She was just sitting in her car at the red light, and that was it,' a shaken Keeling added, expressing his heartbreak at the randomness of the tragedy.
Aftermath and Tributes
Police state that Petty is accused of trying to shift blame for the crash onto his mother, who was a passenger in his Tesla, by claiming she was grabbing for his phone when he lost control. Both Petty's mother and a male passenger in Hackney's car were injured in the crash and survived.
Hackney's law firm paid a moving tribute to their colleague. Wade Cooper, the firm's managing partner, described her as a 'beloved young colleague with a really bright future', extending the company's deepest sympathies to her family and friends.
Locals have since commented that the intersection where the fatal crash happened is known in the area for being dangerous, highlighting concerns about road safety. The incident serves as a grim reminder of the devastating consequences of drunk driving.
