Speeding Tesla driver caused deadly Uptown Dallas crash, report says

Driver charged in fatal Tesla crash killing attorney

A 26-year-old man is facing intoxication manslaughter and intoxication assault charges after police say he crashed his Tesla at high speed in Uptown Dallas, killing a young attorney and injuring two others.

DALLAS - A 26-year-old man is facing intoxication manslaughter and intoxication assault charges after police say he crashed his Tesla at high speed in Uptown Dallas, killing a young attorney and injuring two others.

Intoxication Manslaughter Arrest

What we know:

According to an arrest warrant affidavit, Preston Petty was believed to be under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol when he lost control of his 2025 Tesla on Cedar Springs Road early Sunday evening. 

Dallas police said Petty’s story at the scene "kept changing and not making sense," and an officer reported smelling alcohol on him. Investigators said he later failed field sobriety tests before being booked into the Dallas County Jail.

A witness, Lyft driver Jason Keeling, said he saw the Tesla speeding southbound moments before the crash.

"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."

After hitting the trees, police say the Tesla struck a median, went airborne, and collided with a Porsche that was waiting at a red light at Turtle Creek Boulevard. The crash flipped the Porsche, and the Tesla landed on top of it.

"The back end of the Tesla was on the Porsche," Keeling said. "The front end was wedged into the tree."

The driver of the Porsche, 29-year-old attorney and SMU Law graduate Emma Hackney, was transported to a hospital, where she died. Her law firm, Jackson Walker LLP, said Hackney was "a beloved young colleague with a really bright future" and expressed heartbreak over her death.

A male passenger in Hackney’s vehicle survived. Petty’s mother, who was riding in the Tesla, was also injured.

Petty told officers he crashed because his mother tried to grab his phone while he was driving with it in his hand, according to the affidavit. While he denied being intoxicated, he admitted he was on his way home "to drink wine." Police obtained a warrant to draw his blood after he initially refused.

Keeling, who witnessed the collision, said the tragedy has weighed heavily on him.

"It’s just so sad," he said. "She was just sitting in her car at a red light. And that was it."

What's next:

Petty is now charged with intoxication manslaughter and intoxication assault causing serious bodily injury.

The affidavit states a detective recovered a thumb drive from the Tesla that could provide more details about how fast Petty was driving at the time of the crash.

Dangerous Intersection

What they're saying:

People who frequent the area told FOX 4 that stretch of road is dangerous.

"This breaks my heart because this is something that is not supposed to be happening. This is a chill area. People should be driving safely around. They should take care more about the other people. So it breaks my heart. So sad to hear about it," said Jaime Balon, who works nearby.

Emma Hackney Remembered

Emma Hackney (Jackson Walker LLP)

What they're saying:

Hackney was an attorney who practiced law in Dallas.

""Emma was a beloved young colleague with a really bright future. We are heartbroken, and our thoughts go out to her family and friends in this difficult time," said Wade Cooper, a firmwide managing partner with Jackson Walker LLP.