Former Dallas City Council Member Carolyn Davis Killed In Wrong Way Crash
DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - CBS 11 News reported yesterday that one person had been killed in a wrong-way crash Monday night. Today it has been confirmed that person was former Dallas City Council member Carolyn Davis.
The accident happened just before 8:00 p.m. in the 2400 block of East Ledbetter in South Dallas.
A passenger in Davis' car, a 26-year-old woman, was taken to Baylor University Medical Center where she remains in critical condition.
Tuesday morning city council representative Adam Bazaldua posted on Facebook that the injured passenger was Davis' daughter.
Condolences are pouring in for Davis's family.
"I worked alongside Ms. Carolyn Davis for a number of years," said Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Adam McGough. "Back when I was Chief of Community Prosecution, I saw first-hand her fierce advocacy for our community courts and making lives better. She loved her district, she loved our City, and we mourn this tragic loss together."
Supporters say Davis kept up the pressure on TxDOT to make long overdue changes to the strength of Hwy. 175 in South Dallas known as 'Dead Man's Curve,' the hairpin turn having earned that nickname for a reason.
Davis is also credited with fighting for zoning changes that gave city leaders the legal teeth to force the closure of Jim's Car Wash-- a business that critics claim has been a magnet for crime and trouble in the area for years.
"My thoughts are more than anything with the district," says current District 7 Councilman Adam Bazaldua, "with the people that have looked at her as someone who was their voice, someone that was a champion for them, someone who was making sure that their voice was heard.
Former Dallas City Councilwoman Diane Ragsdale, a Davis supporter and mentor.
"Carolyn was a treasured friend of mine who loved serving people, in particular the least of my brethren," shared Ragsdale. "She was always asking what can we do to address the hurt and pain of others."
Now, the community is asking why Jonathan Moore was repeatedly given probation or suspended sentences for driving drunk.
CBS 11 has confirmed Moore has a criminal history, that includes previous arrests for driving while intoxicated. Tuesday afternoon he remained hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries and is expected to be charged with Intoxication Manslaughter and Intoxication Assault.
Davis served on the council from 2007 until 2015. Earlier this year she plead guilty to accepting bribes from a real estate developer while serving on the city council's Housing Committee. According to a plea agreement, over the course of nearly two years Davis took some $40,000 in exchange for helping the developer win approval for an affordable housing project.
Davis was charged with conspiracy to commit bribery concerning programs using federal funds and faced a sentence of no more than five years in prison. The 57-year-old was scheduled to be sentenced in September.
