DALLAS, Texas — A major multi-vehicle crash in the heart of downtown Dallas left multiple people injured Thursday night after a Black Ford Mustang allegedly sped through a red light and collided with an SUV near the intersection of Main and Akard streets.
Dallas police responded to the scene as emergency crews dealt with the aftermath of the violent collision. At least four people were taken to hospitals, while additional injured people were reported at the crash scene.
Witness video showed several vehicles involved, including a dark-colored vehicle with extensive damage to its front end.
The crash raised fresh concerns among downtown residents and officials about speeding and pedestrian safety on city streets.
Witness Says Mustang Was Traveling More Than 50 MPH
Witness Sam Smith told NBC 5 that he heard the vehicle before he saw it.
“He revved it up, and as he was revving it up the light was already red,” Smith said.
Smith estimated that the Black Ford Mustang was traveling in excess of 50 miles per hour as it went through the red light.
The Mustang then collided with an SUV traveling southbound on Akard Street, according to Smith.
The force of the collision could have produced even more serious consequences because of the number of people who were nearby.
Smith pointed to a tree that he believes helped prevent pedestrians from being struck.
“That tree was God sent because without that tree, pedestrians would have gotten hit,” Smith said.
The comment highlighted how quickly the crash could have turned into an even larger pedestrian emergency in one of Dallas’ busiest downtown areas.
Residents Raise Longstanding Street Safety Concerns
Thursday night’s crash also renewed concerns among some downtown residents about street design and speeding.
Downtown Dallas resident Hexel Colorado said he worked on a petition two years ago seeking changes to the design of downtown streets.
The goal, he said, was to make it more difficult for drivers to speed through the area.
Colorado said those changes have not yet happened.
“It’s something that’s been a problem for a long time. And this is just another reminder of all of the dangers that have been coming along on the street,” Colorado said.
He hopes incidents such as Thursday night’s crash will encourage city officials to reconsider how downtown roads are designed.
“My hope would be when something bad like this happens, the city looks at it and says, ‘okay, something’s gotta change’.”
The concerns come as downtown Dallas continues to balance vehicle traffic, pedestrians and efforts to make its streets safer.
Downtown Officials Point to Traffic Enforcement Efforts
David Davis, director of public safety with Downtown Dallas, Inc., described Thursday night’s crash as an isolated incident, while acknowledging that the accident highlights continuing challenges.
Davis said the nonprofit has been working with Dallas police to increase officer presence in the downtown area.
Those efforts include a new police substation and additional traffic enforcement.
Still, Davis acknowledged that more work may be needed.
“It still brings to light that we still have some challenges,” Davis said.
The comments reflect a broader concern that enforcement and street design both play a role in preventing dangerous driving incidents downtown.
Driver Faces DWI Charge
Police identified the Mustang driver as 24-year-old Eric Alvarez Sanchez.
Sanchez was charged with DWI and not having a valid driver’s license following the crash.
Authorities have not immediately released additional details about what led up to the collision or whether other charges could be filed.
The investigation remains ongoing as officials work to determine the exact sequence of events and the circumstances surrounding the reported red-light violation.
Injuries and Investigation Remain Under Review
Police confirmed that multiple people were injured, with at least four transported to hospitals for treatment.
However, additional information about the victims and the severity of their injuries was not immediately available.
The crash has left downtown residents and officials confronting questions about speeding, traffic enforcement and pedestrian safety.
While investigators continue examining the collision, witnesses say the presence of the tree may have prevented the crash from becoming an even greater tragedy.
For now, authorities are still working to establish the full circumstances of the downtown Dallas collision and determine whether additional action will follow.
What do you think Dallas should do to make downtown streets safer and prevent high-speed crashes? Share your thoughts in the comments.
