The Arlington Police Department is investigating a fatal hit-and-run crash that resulted in the death of 21-year-old Areauna Zemirah Laws of DeSoto. The incident occurred on Sunday, June 23, 2024, at approximately 5:01 a.m. in the westbound lanes of I-20 near Matlock Road.
Officers responded to a report of a hit-and-run and found Laws lying unresponsive in the roadway. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Witnesses reported seeing a pickup truck driving erratically in the westbound lanes of I-20 before the crash. The pickup was seen driving on the shoulder. Investigators believe Laws had pulled over due to car trouble and was standing outside her vehicle when the pickup collided with her and her car.
The driver of the pickup did not stop and continued driving, crossing the grassy median onto the I-20 frontage road. Officers later found the abandoned pickup in a shopping center parking lot near the crash site.
Police are working to identify and locate the driver of the pickup. No arrests have been made at this time.
