Ernesto Esqueda Facing Charges After Fatal Crash on Jefferson Street [Grand Prairie, TX]

Grand Prairie, TX (September 16, 2026) — 18-year-old Ernesto Esqueda of Dallas faces a manslaughter charge after a high-speed crash in Grand Prairie killed an SUV driver Sunday afternoon.

The Grand Prairie Police Department said the collision happened around 1:40 p.m. on September 13 in the 300 block of E. Jefferson Street. Investigators determined that Esqueda was driving a Dodge eastbound on Jefferson Street when he collided with a Ford SUV that was turning onto SE 2nd Street.

The SUV driver, who was the vehicle’s only occupant, suffered serious injuries and later died at a hospital. The Dallas County Medical Examiner’s Office planned to release the victim’s identity after notifying the family.

Esqueda also suffered injuries that were not considered life-threatening. Police reviewed surveillance footage from nearby businesses and determined that he had been traveling at a high rate of speed before the crash.

Authorities charged Esqueda with manslaughter. He remained under medical treatment and had not yet been booked into jail.

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Sweet Lawyers extends our deepest condolences and sympathies to the family and loved ones of the driver who lost their life in this tragic crash. Our hearts are with you through these trying times.

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You’re Not Alone in This

It’s scary to think about how quickly life can change. Traffic accidents can happen anytime — on the way to work, picking up the kids, even just running to the store. According to the NHTSA, speeding alone caused nearly 12,000 deaths in 2023. That’s thousands of families who never got to say goodbye.

We don’t think about it much, but every time we get on the road, there’s a risk. And when something tragic happens, when someone you love doesn’t make it home, it’s completely devastating.

Losing someone you love in a sudden accident changes everything. One moment life feels normal, and the next, you’re left trying to make sense of something that feels impossible. The heartbreak, the shock, the questions. It is a ride on a roller coaster of emotions and doubt. And on top of the emotional pain come unexpected burdens: hospital bills, funeral costs, and the loss of the love and support your family depended on.

You feel shattered. You hope everything is just a dream and gone when you wake up.

If you’re in this situation, please know you don’t have to go through it alone. There are options, and there are people who want to help. Find justice and make sure your family is cared for.

Filing a wrongful death claim is a great step that you can take in this case. Keep in mind that it isn’t about putting a price on your departed loved one’s life; it’s more about finding justice for your loved one and easing some of the financial strain that came following the devastating accident.

A wrongful death claim can help cover:

• Funeral and burial expenses
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Contact Sweet Lawyers @ (800) 674-7852 if you’ve lost a loved one in an accident. Our wrongful death attorneys have spent decades helping families find answers, justice, and financial support when they needed it most.