Topline: Police say a violent carjacking suspect crashed a stolen vehicle in East Dallas, setting off a chain of events that killed 60-year-old pedestrian Jose “Joey” Avila.
Published: April 23, 2026 8:00 am ET
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Jose "Joey" Avila, left. (Family handout)
DALLAS, Texas — Jose “Joey” Avila died after he was struck during a crash near Collett Avenue and Live Oak Street in East Dallas, where investigators say a stolen vehicle involved in a violent carjacking slammed head-on into a Toyota Prius and then hit the pedestrian.
Dallas police charged 25-year-old Tyrell Jones with murder and robbery in the case. Investigators said the chain of events began when Jones allegedly ran into the street and lay down, causing a driver to stop and check on him. According to police, Jones then jumped up, pulled on the vehicle’s door handle hard enough to break it and forced his way into the car after a brief struggle.
Authorities said Jones drove off in the stolen vehicle and later crashed head-on into the Prius along Collett Avenue. The force of the collision sent vehicles into Avila, who was walking nearby. He later died from his injuries.
According to KENS 5, Avila’s family pieced together that he had simply been on his way to get dog food when he was killed. Relatives said he was known to loved ones as Joey, a name they said fit the joy he brought to people around him.
Family members described Avila as full of life and said he spent more than 19 years doing volunteer work, including with Dallas police, volunteer Crime Stoppers efforts and Prism Health North Texas. His family said they are trying to focus on the life he lived and the people he helped rather than only the way he died.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Violent Dallas Carjacking Crash Kills Pedestrian
Police say a violent carjacking suspect crashed a stolen vehicle in East Dallas, setting off a chain of events that killed 60-year-old pedestrian Jose “Joey” Avila.
By Aaron Stephensen
Published: April 23, 2026 8:00 am ET
Jose "Joey" Avila, left. (Family handout)
DALLAS, Texas — Jose “Joey” Avila died after he was struck during a crash near Collett Avenue and Live Oak Street in East Dallas, where investigators say a stolen vehicle involved in a violent carjacking slammed head-on into a Toyota Prius and then hit the pedestrian.
Dallas police charged 25-year-old Tyrell Jones with murder and robbery in the case. Investigators said the chain of events began when Jones allegedly ran into the street and lay down, causing a driver to stop and check on him. According to police, Jones then jumped up, pulled on the vehicle’s door handle hard enough to break it and forced his way into the car after a brief struggle.
Authorities said Jones drove off in the stolen vehicle and later crashed head-on into the Prius along Collett Avenue. The force of the collision sent vehicles into Avila, who was walking nearby. He later died from his injuries.
According to KENS 5, Avila’s family pieced together that he had simply been on his way to get dog food when he was killed. Relatives said he was known to loved ones as Joey, a name they said fit the joy he brought to people around him.
Family members described Avila as full of life and said he spent more than 19 years doing volunteer work, including with Dallas police, volunteer Crime Stoppers efforts and Prism Health North Texas. His family said they are trying to focus on the life he lived and the people he helped rather than only the way he died.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Violent Dallas Carjacking Crash Kills Pedestrian
Police say a violent carjacking suspect crashed a stolen vehicle in East Dallas, setting off a chain of events that killed 60-year-old pedestrian Jose “Joey” Avila.
By Aaron Stephensen
Published: April 23, 2026 8:00 am ET
Jose "Joey" Avila, left. (Family handout)
DALLAS, Texas — Jose “Joey” Avila died after he was struck during a crash near Collett Avenue and Live Oak Street in East Dallas, where investigators say a stolen vehicle involved in a violent carjacking slammed head-on into a Toyota Prius and then hit the pedestrian.
Dallas police charged 25-year-old Tyrell Jones with murder and robbery in the case. Investigators said the chain of events began when Jones allegedly ran into the street and lay down, causing a driver to stop and check on him. According to police, Jones then jumped up, pulled on the vehicle’s door handle hard enough to break it and forced his way into the car after a brief struggle.
Authorities said Jones drove off in the stolen vehicle and later crashed head-on into the Prius along Collett Avenue. The force of the collision sent vehicles into Avila, who was walking nearby. He later died from his injuries.
According to KENS 5, Avila’s family pieced together that he had simply been on his way to get dog food when he was killed. Relatives said he was known to loved ones as Joey, a name they said fit the joy he brought to people around him.
Family members described Avila as full of life and said he spent more than 19 years doing volunteer work, including with Dallas police, volunteer Crime Stoppers efforts and Prism Health North Texas. His family said they are trying to focus on the life he lived and the people he helped rather than only the way he died.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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