Dallas, TX - A devastating hit-and-run collision early Saturday morning claimed the life of 66-year-old James Watkins on Dolphin Road, leaving his three sisters seeking justice for their beloved brother. Dallas police responded to the call at about 4:10 a.m. Saturday at the 4900 block of Dolphin Road, where they discovered Watkins deceased at the scene. According to investigators, the responsible driver fled the scene in a small white vehicle, leaving behind only a damaged bumper as evidence of the tragic collision.

Dallas Police are actively searching for the driver of the white vehicle and are asking the public for assistance in identifying the suspect. The investigation remains ongoing as the family struggles to come to terms with losing James in such a senseless and preventable tragedy.

Location and Infrastructure

The 4900 block of Dolphin Road where this fatal collision occurred represents a typical Dallas residential roadway that connects various neighborhoods in the area. TxDOT conducts traffic counts to monitor the use of roadways in Texas, conducting over 75,000 short-term traffic counts each year on state and national highway system roads, local and county roads. While Dolphin Road may not be among the most heavily trafficked arteries in Dallas, Dallas often experiences ongoing road construction projects and complex traffic patterns that can introduce unexpected challenges for drivers. The early morning timing of this incident, occurring around 4:10 a.m., suggests this was during a period of relatively light traffic, making the failure to stop and render aid particularly egregious. The residential nature of the area means pedestrians and local residents rely on driver vigilance and adherence to traffic safety protocols.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Under Texas Transportation Code Chapter 550, drivers have a duty to stop in event of an accident and provide reasonable assistance to injury victims, including arranging transport for medical assistance. Failure to stop and render aid involving death is a second-degree felony punishable by 2 to 20 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. The Watkins family retains the right to pursue civil litigation against the responsible driver once identified. Victims can file a personal injury lawsuit to recover damages for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related costs, with the court potentially awarding both compensatory and punitive damages. In Texas, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is generally two years from the date of the accident. The criminal conviction of the hit-and-run driver, if obtained, can strengthen any subsequent civil case. Texas law also provides for victim compensation programs that may assist with funeral expenses and other costs associated with violent crimes.

Related Resources

Emergency and Law Enforcement:

• Dallas Police Department Victim Services Unit: 1400 Botham Jean Blvd., Dallas, Texas 75215 - 214-671-3584
• Dallas Police Department Crime Stoppers Hotline: 214-671-8477
• Texas Crime Stoppers Hotline: 1-800-252-TIPS (8477) - available 24 hours a day

Victim Support Services:

• Dallas County Community Supervision and Corrections Victim Services: Frank Crowley Courts Building, 133 N. Riverfront Boulevard, 9th Floor - 214-653-5300
• Catholic Charities of Dallas: 1421 W. Mockingbird Lane - 214-634-7182
• Dallas Rape Crisis Center: 214-712-4900 (24-hour crisis hotline)

Legal Resources:

• Texas Department of Transportation Traffic Safety: www.txdot.gov
• Texas Transportation Code Chapter 550 (Accidents and Accident Reports)
• State Bar of Texas Lawyer Referral Service: 1-800-252-9690

The investigation continues as Dallas Police urge anyone with information about this hit-and-run collision to come forward. The Watkins family deserves justice, and the community deserves to have this dangerous driver removed from the roads.