Lake Highlands Teen Killed Crossing the Street

LAKE HIGHLANDS, Texas - The mother of a Lake Highlands teen killed while crossing the street is angry that the driver who hit him has not been arrested.

Riley Rawlins was killed last Saturday as he walked to the Sonic on Royal Lane and Audelia Road to meet friends. It was just three miles away from his home.

According to police, the 17-year-old was about to step onto the curb when a 1995 Lincoln hit him and  dragged him almost 400 feet.

Witnesses told police the light at Royal Lane had just turned yellow and the driver weaved around cars to avoid stopping.

Police said the 19-year-old driver admitted she was trying to beat the light and that she was going about 70 miles per hour in a 35 mile per hour zone. She also told the officers she was driving without a license and insurance because it was too expensive.

While she does face manslaughter charges, police have not yet arrested the driver and they haven’t publicly identified her.

Monica Rawlins said grief over her son’s death has turned into anger because of that.

“This grief is crushing. It’s a dream I want to wake from and I can’t,” she said. “I get comfort in going in his room and I can smell him in his room. And my grief is only matched by my anger, it’s so senseless.”

Monica Rawlins said she had been fretting about her only son’s decision to join the Marines when he graduated from Lake Highlands High School next year.

“He said, ‘Mamma, everybody dies and I’m joining the Marines. It’s gonna happen,’” she said.

Dallas police are still investigating the case, which is expected to go to a grand jury.