In a tragic turn of events, a Dallas woman was killed early Wednesday morning in what police have determined to be a fatal hit-and-run accident at the intersection of Jim Miller Road and Bruton Road. The victim, identified by the Medical Examiner as 42-year-old Maria Guerrero, was reportedly on her way home from work when her vehicle was struck with lethal force.
The suspect, Billy Ray Williamson, 26, allegedly lost control of his SUV, which hit a curb, and a traffic signal pole, and rolled across the road before slamming into Guerrero's Toyota Corolla. Williamson is said to have fled the crash site in another vehicle. In a statement obtained by FOX 4 News, Marlenne Hernandez, Guerrero’s niece, reflected on her lost family member: "Strong, independent, loving, and caring. I miss her so much," adding, "She was like a second mom to a lot of us."
Law enforcement officials told WFAA that after fleeing the scene, Williamson made a 911 call to falsely report his car as stolen, a move that appears to have been an attempt to elude responsibility for the crash. Despite his efforts, Williamson was later arrested and charged with collision involving death.
Currently, Williamson's bond has been set at $50,000. The aftermath of the incident leaves a family grappling with the sudden loss and a community confronted with the consequences of a moment's recklessness. Guerrero, remembered fondly by loved ones, was less than half, a mile from the safety of home when the crash took her life. As the case unfolds, the legal system will now take its course to address the magnitude of Williamson's alleged actions.
