Photo Courtesy Fox 4 News
DALLAS – The driver suspected in a hit-and-run crash that claimed the life of a 6-year-old girl in Far North Dallas has surrendered to authorities, admitting his involvement in the tragic incident.
The victim, identified as Destiny Wright, had slipped out of her home late Sunday night before being struck by a vehicle while wandering in the street, according to her family.
Incident Details
Dallas police responded to a crash around 10:30 p.m. on February 16 in the 5900 block of Belt Line Road, just west of Preston Road. Upon arrival, officers discovered Destiny with severe injuries. She was rushed to Children’s Medical Center, where she later succumbed to her wounds.
Investigators determined that Destiny was crossing the street when she was hit by a white Acura MDX. Surveillance footage captured the SUV pulling into a nearby shopping center before circling back and driving away.
Family Speaks Out
Mary Friday, Destiny’s grandmother, expressed the heartbreak and scrutiny the family has faced since the accident.
“Everybody wants to hear the story. Everybody wants to hear, ‘Why weren’t you watching her? Why didn’t you do this?’” she said. “There is nothing that you can say that we haven’t already asked ourselves.”
Friday recounted how she realized Destiny was missing shortly after 10 p.m. that night. The child, who had been diagnosed with autism, was known to wander off.
“She unlocked the door,” Friday explained. “There were two deadbolts—a bottom lock and a deadbolt lock—plus a chain. And we didn’t have the chain on.”
Just moments before Destiny left the townhome, her grandfather had stepped out to a nearby corner store. As he returned home, he came upon a group of bystanders attempting to help his granddaughter.
“That helps me to know that she had those moments,” Friday said. “They were best friends, and so I am comforted in that.”
Despite her own grief, Friday remains focused on supporting her daughter, who lost her only child.
“I have a daughter who lost a daughter, and it would be selfish of me to focus on my own pain when I know she lost her everything,” she shared.
Driver Identified and Arrested
After several days of searching, authorities arrested 67-year-old David Polley on Tuesday, charging him with collision involving death—three days after Destiny was fatally struck.
Newly released surveillance footage shows Destiny walking along Belt Line Road before being hit. Police traced the suspect vehicle, a white Acura MDX, using security footage from a local business, which showed the SUV heading west before merging onto the Dallas North Tollway. The vehicle’s license plate was registered to Polley, a resident of Lewisville.
Through his attorney, Polley turned himself in to Dallas police. Officers later found his SUV parked in his driveway with front-end damage consistent with the collision. During questioning, Polley admitted to being the driver and surrendered to authorities.
Polley was booked into the Dallas County Jail but has since posted bond.
Unanswered Questions
Authorities have not yet determined whether speed, alcohol, or other factors played a role in the crash. It remains unclear why Polley failed to stop after the incident.
The investigation is ongoing.