Attorney Emma Hackney Identified as Victim in Deadly Uptown Dallas Crash; Driver Preston Petty Charged With Intoxication Manslaughter

A high-speed crash in Uptown Dallas has left 29-year-old attorney Emma Hackney dead and two others critically injured, and police say the driver responsible — 26-year-old Preston Petty — was intoxicated at the time. Petty has been arrested on charges of intoxication manslaughter and intoxication assault following the violent collision on Cedar Springs Road.

According to a Dallas Police Department arrest affidavit, Petty was speeding southbound in a 2025 Tesla early Sunday evening when he lost control while taking a curve near Turtle Creek Boulevard. Witnesses reported that the Tesla was traveling at an extremely high speed, striking trees and a median before going airborne. The vehicle then slammed into the driver’s side of Hackney’s Porsche, which was stopped at a red light, flipping the Porsche as the Tesla landed on top of it.

Hackney, an SMU Law graduate and rising attorney with Jackson Walker LLP, was taken to a hospital where she later died from her injuries. Her passenger was critically injured. Petty’s mother, who was riding in the Tesla, was also critically hurt.

Officers said Petty’s story “kept changing” at the scene and reported smelling alcohol on him. He denied intoxication but admitted he was “on his way home to drink wine.” Police say Petty also claimed the crash occurred because his mother tried to grab his phone while he was driving distracted. He later failed field sobriety tests and refused a blood draw, prompting officers to obtain a warrant.

Investigators recovered a thumb drive from the Tesla that may contain data showing how fast Petty was driving when the Tesla went airborne.

Lyft driver Jason Keeling, who witnessed the crash, said he saw the Tesla coming “way too fast” moments before impact. “He wasn’t making the turn. He went straight and took out two trees… it didn’t appear to slow down,” Keeling said. After the crash, he saw the back end of the Tesla resting on Hackney’s crushed Porsche.

Hackney’s law firm issued an emotional statement following her death. “Emma was a beloved young colleague with a really bright future,” said Wade Cooper, managing partner of Jackson Walker LLP. “We are heartbroken, and our thoughts go out to her family and friends in this difficult time.”

Attorney Emma Hackney Identified as Victim in Deadly Uptown Dallas Crash; Driver Preston Petty Charged With Intoxication Manslaughter

Residents described the stretch of Cedar Springs Road as dangerous and said the tragedy underscores long-standing safety concerns. “This breaks my heart,” said Jaime Balon, who works nearby. “This is a chill area. People should be driving safely. It’s so sad.”

Petty is charged with intoxication manslaughter and intoxication assault causing serious bodily injury. The investigation remains ongoing.