A tragic pedestrian accident claimed the life of 23-year-old Aya Knox in the early morning hours of Saturday in Downtown Dallas. According to Dallas Police, the fatal collision occurred around 4:40 a.m. in the 1500 block of Elm Street, a busy thoroughfare in the heart of the city's entertainment district. Knox was struck by a vehicle and became pinned underneath, sustaining critical injuries. Emergency responders transported her to a local hospital, where she tragically succumbed to her injuries. The driver of the vehicle remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators. Dallas Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash, including factors such as visibility, speed, and right-of-way. Knox, affectionately known as "The Queen of Dallas" by family and friends, had recently celebrated her birthday just weeks before the fatal incident. Her aunt, Nakia Clay, noted that the beloved nickname reflected how deeply Knox was cherished by her community. A gathering was held in South Dallas as loved ones mourned the loss of the young woman.

Location and Infrastructure

The 1500 block of Elm Street is located in the heart of Downtown Dallas, an area known for heavy pedestrian and vehicular traffic, particularly during late-night and early-morning hours when bars and entertainment venues are closing. Elm Street runs east-west through the central business district and is a major arterial road with multiple lanes, streetlights, and crosswalks. This section of Elm Street is surrounded by commercial buildings, restaurants, and nightlife establishments, which can result in significant foot traffic during weekend nights. The downtown area features numerous marked crosswalks and pedestrian signals, though visibility and pedestrian safety can be challenging during overnight hours when lighting conditions change and both pedestrian and vehicle traffic patterns shift. The intersection areas along this stretch are managed by the City of Dallas and are subject to municipal traffic regulations designed to protect both motorists and pedestrians.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Under Texas Transportation Code, both drivers and pedestrians have specific duties to ensure roadway safety. Drivers must exercise reasonable care to avoid colliding with pedestrians, while pedestrians must use marked crosswalks where provided and obey traffic control signals. In fatal pedestrian accident cases, surviving family members may be entitled to pursue wrongful death claims under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 71, which allows for recovery of damages including loss of companionship, mental anguish, and funeral expenses. Texas operates under a modified comparative negligence system, meaning compensation may be reduced if the injured party shares fault, though recovery is barred if they are found more than 50% responsible. The statute of limitations for wrongful death claims in Texas is generally two years from the date of death. Accident victims' families should preserve all evidence, including police reports, witness statements, and medical records. Insurance considerations may include the at-fault driver's liability coverage, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, and potentially applicable pedestrian accident provisions.

Related Resources

Emergency Services:

• Dallas Police Department Non-Emergency: (214) 670-4415
• Dallas Fire-Rescue Department: (214) 670-4453
• Parkland Memorial Hospital (Trauma Center): (214) 590-8000

Traffic Safety Resources:

• City of Dallas Department of Transportation: (214) 670-3222
• Texas Department of Transportation Dallas District: (214) 320-4480
• Dallas Pedestrian Safety Initiative: dallascityhall.com

Support Services:

• Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) North Texas: (214) 823-0710
• Crime Victim Services of Dallas: (214) 818-4960
• Grief counseling resources through Dallas County Health and Human Services: (214) 819-2100

Legal and Regulatory Information:

• Texas Transportation Code: statutes.capitol.texas.gov
• Texas Department of Transportation Safety Information: txdot.gov
• Dallas Police Department Accident Reports: dallaspolice.net