A devastating crash in Uptown Dallas has left one woman dead and two others critically injured, and the driver accused of causing the wreck is now facing multiple felony charges. According to an arrest warrant affidavit, 26-year-old Preston Petty was allegedly under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol when he lost control of his 2025 Tesla on Sunday evening.
Crash Details
Witnesses told investigators that Petty was speeding southbound on Cedar Springs Road when he failed to navigate a curve. The Tesla reportedly struck several trees, hit a median, and then went airborne before slamming into a Porsche stopped at a red light on Turtle Creek Boulevard.
The impact was catastrophic. The Porsche flipped over, and Petty’s Tesla landed on top of it.
The driver of the Porsche, 29-year-old Emma Hackney, died at the scene. A passenger in her vehicle suffered critical injuries. Petty’s mother, who was riding with him in the Tesla, was also critically injured.
According to the arrest affidavit:
An officer reported smelling alcohol on Petty.
Petty denied being intoxicated but admitted he had been holding his phone while driving.
He claimed the crash occurred because his mother tried to grab the phone from his hand.
He also stated he was on the way home to drink wine.
Investigators recovered a thumb drive from the Tesla, which may contain data about the car’s speed and other diagnostics at the time of the crash.
Charges Filed
Petty has been charged with:
Intoxication manslaughter
Intoxication assault causing serious bodily injury
He was booked into the Dallas County Jail on charges including intoxication assault with a vehicle causing serious bodily injury. Police say the investigation is ongoing.
Community Reaction
Residents and employees in the Uptown area expressed sadness and frustration, saying speeding is a persistent problem along Cedar Springs Road.
“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. They should care more about others. It’s so sad to hear about this.”
Remembering Emma Hackney
The woman killed in the crash, Emma Hackney, was a respected attorney in the Banking & Finance practice at Jackson Walker’s Dallas office. Her legal work focused on finance, real estate, and commercial transactions.
Hackney had experience representing:
Banks
Private equity funds
Insurance companies
Corporate entities
She handled complex financing structures, including lines of credit, equipment loans, working capital financing, and growth capital lending. Her real estate experience included construction, interim, and permanent financing for:
Multifamily developments
Industrial parks
Office complexes
Senior living facilities
Hotels and shopping centers
Medical office properties
Her death has left the Dallas legal and financial communities in mourning.
Investigation Continues
Dallas Police say the crash remains under active investigation. Additional information, including potential vehicle data evidence, may be released as the case progresses.
