A 29-year-old Dallas attorney, Emma Hackney, was killed Sunday evening in a violent crash in Uptown that police say was caused by an allegedly impaired driver traveling at high speed. The collision, which occurred at the intersection of Cedar Springs Road and Turtle Creek Boulevard, has renewed concerns about dangerous driving in the neighborhood.
According to an arrest affidavit, officers believe 26-year-old Preston Petty was under the influence of alcohol or drugs when he lost control of his 2025 Tesla Model Y while speeding southbound. A witness reported seeing the vehicle take a curve too fast, strike several trees and a median, and go airborne before landing on the driver’s side of a Porsche waiting at a traffic light.
The Porsche flipped on impact, and the Tesla came down on top of it. Hackney, the driver, died at the scene. A passenger in her vehicle was critically injured, as was Petty’s mother, who was riding with him.
Officers reported smelling alcohol on Petty at the scene. While he denied being impaired, he admitted he had been driving with his phone in his hand and claimed the crash happened when his mother grabbed for it. Petty also reportedly told officers he was returning home “to drink wine.” Police have charged him with intoxication manslaughter and intoxication assault. Investigators also recovered a thumb drive from the Tesla, which may reveal the vehicle’s speed and actions before the crash.
A Dangerous Stretch With a History of Speeding Concerns
Residents and workers in the Uptown area said Sunday’s tragedy highlights a long-standing problem with reckless driving. “This breaks my heart because this is something that is not supposed to be happening,” said Jaime Balon, who works nearby. “People should be driving safely around here. They should take care of others. So sad to hear about it.”
Local traffic data shows that corridors like Cedar Springs and Turtle Creek—dense with restaurants, apartments, and nightlife—regularly see complaints about speeding and aggressive driving, especially on weekends. Transportation advocates have been calling for additional traffic-calming infrastructure along the corridor.
Remembering a Promising Attorney
Hackney’s death has sent shockwaves through the Dallas legal community, where she was recognized as a talented young attorney building her career at the law firm Jackson Walker LLP. “Emma was a beloved young colleague with a really bright future,” said managing partner Wade Cooper. “We are heartbroken, and our thoughts go out to her family
