Emergency responders at the scene of tragic incidents near schools in Oak Cliff
A tragic day unfolded in Oak Cliff as multiple incidents left one child dead and several others injured near schools. The community is mourning and calling for improved safety measures. Emergency responders reacted promptly to separate accidents and incidents involving children, families advocating for firearm safety awareness, and counseling services are made available for grieving students. The day highlights serious safety concerns in the neighborhood.
Oak Cliff, Dallas – A tragic day in Oak Cliff saw a child killed and three others injured, including two more children and an adult, in separate incidents that occurred near schools on May 22, 2025. The first incident took place around 3:30 p.m. near Felix G. Botello Elementary School on South Marsalis Avenue.
The accident, which happened in the 200 block of South Marsalis Avenue, off Interstate 35E, resulted in the death of one child, identified as a 12-year-old boy. The two injured children, both 8-year-old girls, were transported to Children’s Medical Center and remain in critical but stable condition, while the adult involved in the incident is reported to be in stable condition. Emergency responders from Dallas Fire-Rescue quickly arrived on the scene to provide assistance.
According to police reports, the elderly truck driver involved in the accident remained at the scene and is cooperating with the investigation. Preliminary findings suggest that speed was not a factor in the tragic event. Local residents expressed their emotional responses to the incident, with calls for improved safety measures to protect children near school areas.
In a separate incident earlier that day, around 2:15 p.m., a two-vehicle collision at the intersection of West Kiest Boulevard and Cripple Creek Drive resulted in another fatality. First responders had to extricate individuals trapped in the vehicles. One person was pronounced dead at the scene, while another was taken to the hospital in critical condition. A third person sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
Adding to the grief in the Oak Cliff community, a family is mourning the loss of 15-year-old Joselyn Esparza, who accidentally shot herself while recording a video for social media. The firearm had been unknowingly brought home by her younger brother. The family emphasized that the incident was a tragic accident and not an act of suicide or homicide. In response, Joselyn’s mother is advocating for increased awareness regarding firearm safety for minors, underscoring the need for preventive measures to avoid similar incidents in the future.
Moreover, another tragic event in the area involved the untimely death of 14-year-old Jonathan Ayala, a student at Boude Storey Middle School. He was killed near the intersection of Marsalis Avenue and Ledbetter Drive when a car crashed into him after the driver allegedly engaged in a fight with another individual. Authorities arrested 47-year-old James Grant, charging him with felony murder for his role in the traffic incident. In light of Jonathan’s passing, counselors have been made available at the school to help students cope with the loss.
These incidents have left the Oak Cliff community grappling with multiple tragedies in one day, prompting calls for enhanced safety protocols near schools and increased awareness of situations involving firearms. The city continues to process the emotional aftermath of these events while also examining ways to prevent future tragedies.
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