DALLAS, TX — Fatal Multi-Vehicle Crash Closes U.S. 75 Northbound; 35-Year-Old Maria Fernanda Esquivel Ramirez Identified as Victim
A devastating multi-vehicle crash in the early morning hours of Sunday, May 5, 2025, left one woman dead and caused a complete shutdown of all northbound lanes on U.S. Highway 75 near the I-635 interchange in North Dallas. The Dallas Police Department confirmed that the victim of the deadly collision was 35-year-old Maria Fernanda Esquivel Ramirez, a local resident whose sudden and tragic death has left family, friends, and the broader community reeling.
The incident unfolded around 3:40 a.m., a time when the normally bustling highway was relatively quiet. According to police reports, at least three vehicles were involved in the crash. Preliminary findings suggest that one of the vehicles had either stalled or was disabled in the center lane, creating a hazard that triggered a chain-reaction collision.
Emergency responders arrived swiftly on the scene to find a chaotic situation. Several vehicles were severely damaged, with debris scattered across the highway. Dallas Fire-Rescue personnel attempted life-saving efforts on Ramirez, who was found unresponsive at the scene. Despite their efforts, she was pronounced dead at the site of the accident.
Authorities say Ramirez had been a passenger in one of the vehicles that collided with the disabled car. An official cause of death will be determined by the Dallas County Medical Examiner’s Office. No other fatalities were reported, but multiple people sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to nearby hospitals for evaluation and treatment.
As law enforcement officers worked to investigate and clear the scene, all northbound lanes of U.S. 75 were closed for several hours, with traffic being diverted at Royal Lane. The highway remained shut down until shortly after 9:00 a.m., when the Dallas Police Department and crash investigation units completed their on-site work. Commuters were advised to seek alternate routes as crews cleared the wreckage and removed the vehicles involved.
Detectives are continuing to investigate the exact sequence of events leading up to the crash. They are reviewing surveillance footage from nearby traffic cameras and are asking any witnesses or drivers with dashcam footage from that time to come forward.
Maria Fernanda Esquivel Ramirez, remembered by loved ones as a warm and hardworking woman, had moved to the Dallas area nearly a decade ago. Friends describe her as vibrant, compassionate, and deeply devoted to her family. She had been working in the local hospitality industry and had recently begun studying part-time with hopes of becoming a certified nutritionist. Her sudden death is described by friends as “a shocking loss to everyone who knew her.”
Her family, now preparing funeral arrangements, has asked for privacy as they grieve. A memorial fund has been established to assist with burial costs and to honor Ramirez’s memory.
The Dallas Police Department has not yet issued any citations or confirmed whether impairment or speed played a role in the crash. Investigators are urging anyone with information to contact the DPD Vehicle Crimes Unit at (214) 670-5817.
As the community mourns the loss of a bright young woman, officials remind all motorists to remain alert and cautious, particularly in the early hours of the morning when visibility and response times can be compromised. The investigation remains ongoing.