Just as the school day ended Thursday in Oak Cliff, a devastating accident near Felix G. Botello Elementary School left one child dead and three others, including two more children and an adult, seriously injured. The crash has shaken the local community and renewed urgent calls for school zone safety.
Crash Happened Just After School Dismissal
The incident occurred around 3:30 p.m. on South Marsalis Avenue, just off I-35E, near the elementary school, according to the Dallas Police Department. Three children — a 12-year-old boy and two 8-year-old girls — were hit by a truck while walking, along with an adult.
Dallas Fire-Rescue transported all four victims to local hospitals. One of the children died from their injuries. The remaining two children remain in critical but stable condition at Children’s Medical Center, and the adult is reported to be stable.
Driver Cooperating with Police
Authorities said the truck’s driver, an elderly person, stayed at the scene and is cooperating fully with the investigation. Police currently do not believe speed was a factor in the crash.
The area was filled with families at the time of the incident, just moments after students had been dismissed for the day. No charges have been filed as of Friday morning.
Residents Describe Chaos and Demand Action
Andrea Williams, a neighbor who witnessed the aftermath, described a heartbreaking scene.
“When I got out of the car I saw all the blood and the babies’ clothes, and I put two and two together,” Williams told reporters. “Summer hasn’t even started and things like this happen.”
Brian Evans, another Oak Cliff resident, said the area is a known danger zone.
“I’m very saddened by it, but I’m not surprised,” Evans said. “There’s children always crossing the street going to the apartment complex.”
Evans described a recent near-miss at the same location, urging the city to take immediate steps to protect children.
Community Calls for Urgent School Zone Safety Fixes
Residents are now demanding new safety measures around local schools, including stricter traffic enforcement, speed bumps, and enhanced crosswalk signage. Many parents say they no longer feel confident allowing their children to walk home.
Community leaders are expected to meet with school and city officials next week to discuss possible improvements.
As the community mourns this heartbreaking loss, officials urge all drivers to use extra caution near schools, especially during arrival and dismissal hours.
This article was written by John Deluca. AI was used lightly for grammar and formatting, but the ideas, words, and edits are all mine.
