In Loving Memory of Emma Hackney, 29 A brilliant light extinguished far too soon
Dallas is mourning the heartbreaking loss of 29-year-old Emma Hackney, a cherished colleague, beloved friend, and bright young professional whose life was tragically cut short in a devastating multi-vehicle crash in Uptown on November 30. What began as an ordinary Sunday afternoon turned into an unimaginable tragedy caused by the reckless actions of a suspected drunken driver, leaving a community in profound grief.
According to an arrest affidavit, 26-year-old Preston Petty was driving his Tesla at dangerously high speeds along Cedar Springs Road near Turtle Creek Boulevard when he lost control of the vehicle shortly after 5 p.m. The crash that followed was catastrophic. Investigators say Petty veered off the roadway, snapping multiple trees at their base, knocking down a pedestrian crosswalk pole, and then crossing over the eastbound lanes of Turtle Creek Boulevard. After striking a median curb, his vehicle went airborne.
That airborne Tesla struck the driver’s side door of Emma’s vehicle with devastating force, causing her car to roll. Petty’s vehicle then came down on top of hers, finally coming to rest after hitting a tree. Moments later, first responders from Dallas Fire-Rescue rushed Emma to the hospital. Despite their efforts, she was pronounced deceased.
The loss of Emma has left her family, friends, coworkers, and the broader community reeling. Emma worked at Jackson Walker LLP, where she was known as a dedicated, talented, and rising legal professional. Colleagues describe her as someone with “a really bright future,” a young woman admired for her intelligence, her kindness, and her passion for her work.
“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 the firm’s managing partner, Wade Cooper, in a tribute reflecting the deep respect and affection she inspired.
Sadly, two passengers were also injured in the collision — a passenger in Petty’s vehicle, who suffered a fractured spine, broken nose, and possible heel fracture, and a passenger in Emma’s car, who sustained a head laceration but is expected to recover. Petty refused medical treatment at the scene and is now facing serious charges as investigators continue to gather evidence. Police reported that he smelled of alcohol, despite his denial of drinking.
While authorities continue their work, the focus for Emma’s loved ones remains on honoring her memory — a life defined not by the manner of her passing, but by the warmth, brilliance, and compassion she brought into the world. Emma was someone whose presence elevated every room she entered. She approached her career with drive and humility, her relationships with sincerity and care, and her life with purpose and grace.
Her loss is immeasurable. The promise of the future she worked so hard to build is now held tenderly in the hearts of those who loved her. They will forever carry her memory forward — in their stories, in their accomplishments inspired by her, and in the love she shared so freely.
May those who knew Emma find strength in one another as they navigate this unimaginable grief. May her memory be a blessing, a light in moments of darkness, and a reminder of how precious every day truly is.
Rest peacefully, Emma.
Your brilliance lives on in every life you touched. 🕊️
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