Credit: Inside the MagicA tragic accident occurred just steps from one of Tennessee’s most popular tourist destinations over the weekend, leaving a woman dead and the local community reeling.
According to WATE News and the Pigeon Forge Police Department, 58-year-old Daisy Valenzuela Vives, of Ooltewah, was struck while crossing Dollywood Lane at the intersection of US 441 and Dollywood Lane around 6:00 p.m. Friday. The area, heavily trafficked by both visitors and locals, sits at the gateway to Dollywood theme park — a location that sees a constant stream of vehicles, especially during the busy summer season.
Emergency crews rushed to the scene after receiving reports of the collision. Valenzuela Vives was transported by LIFESTAR helicopter to the University of Tennessee Medical Center. Despite the efforts of first responders and hospital staff, her injuries proved fatal.
Police said the vehicle that struck her was driven by an 18-year-old motorist. Initial reports indicated that the driver remained at the scene and cooperated fully with law enforcement. Authorities have not yet released the identity of the driver.
The investigation into the crash is ongoing, with Pigeon Forge Police noting that it is expected to be completed by Wednesday, August 13. Once finalized, the findings will be turned over to 4th Judicial District Attorney General Jimmy Dunn, who will determine whether criminal charges are warranted.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected by this tragic accident,” the department wrote in an official statement.
Safety Concerns at a Major Tourist Corridor
Dollywood Lane, which connects directly to the theme park entrance, is a high-traffic area that often sees heavy pedestrian activity. During peak tourist periods, crosswalks and intersections can become congested, with visitors unfamiliar with the area attempting to navigate busy roadways. While there is no official word yet on the cause of Friday’s incident, the tragedy highlights the potential risks in such high-volume tourist zones.
The fatal crash also comes at a time when Dollywood is in the midst of several major developments and ongoing construction projects — a factor that can sometimes alter traffic flow or increase congestion around the park.
Dollywood’s Ongoing Expansion and Past Incidents
Dollywood, inspired by the beloved entertainer Dolly Parton, has been a cornerstone of Pigeon Forge’s tourism industry for decades. Known for its mix of thrill rides, family attractions, live entertainment, and Smoky Mountain charm, the park attracts millions of visitors each year. Popular coasters like Wild Eagle, Tennessee Tornado, Lightning Rod, and the recently opened Big Bear Mountain keep crowds coming back season after season.
The park is also in the process of building its largest and most expensive attraction to date — a five-story indoor experience, tentatively set to open in 2026, celebrating the magic of nighttime in the Smokies. While guests are excited about the expansion, recent headlines have also been marked by less celebratory news.
Earlier this year, the Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration (TOSHA) fined Dollywood $6,400 for safety violations following a workplace accident on the Smoky Mountain River Rampage attraction.
In that March incident, an employee’s jacket became caught in a coupling while adjusting a belt, pulling his arm into the machinery and causing significant injuries. He was airlifted to the hospital for treatment. Investigators later determined that certain pulleys and couplings were not properly guarded, creating dangerous working conditions. Dollywood corrected the issues by June 30 and the case was officially closed.
A History of Accidents
While Dollywood has an overall strong safety record compared to many theme parks, this is not the first time it has made headlines for accidents. In July 2020, a worker was injured inside the park’s Mountain Blown Glass Shop, just one day after a decorative element fell on three guests in another section of the park. That same month, three guests were injured in Wilderness Pass when a chain decoration fell near the Mystery Mine attraction.
In July 2024, heavy rains triggered a flash flood that forced guests to wade through waist-deep water in parts of the park, submerging several vehicles in the parking lot. A year prior, a water main break temporarily shut down operations.
While the most recent incident occurred outside Dollywood’s gates and is not directly tied to park operations, its proximity has shaken locals and visitors alike. Many in the community view Dollywood Lane and the surrounding roads as extensions of the park itself, with constant pedestrian movement between hotels, restaurants, and the park entrance.
Safety advocates are now raising questions about whether additional traffic-calming measures — such as extended crossing times, improved lighting, or added pedestrian signals — could help prevent future tragedies.
As for the investigation, police will likely examine factors such as vehicle speed, pedestrian right-of-way, lighting conditions, and potential driver impairment, though there has been no public suggestion of wrongdoing at this time.
By Wednesday, August 13, the Pigeon Forge Police Department expects to present its findings to the District Attorney’s office. If the DA determines that charges are appropriate, they could range from traffic citations to more serious offenses, depending on the circumstances uncovered.
For now, the focus remains on honoring the life of Daisy Valenzuela Vives and supporting her loved ones during this time of grief.
Dollywood remains one of the most significant economic drivers in the region, drawing millions of visitors and generating substantial revenue for Pigeon Forge and Sevier County. However, the recent combination of internal safety violations, past guest injuries, and this tragic pedestrian death just outside its gates has cast a somber shadow over the summer season.
While tourism and entertainment are at the heart of Pigeon Forge’s identity, incidents like this serve as a reminder of the real-world safety challenges that come with high visitor numbers and constant activity.
As the investigation moves forward, both city officials and Dollywood’s management will undoubtedly be watching closely — not only for the outcome in this specific case but for any lessons that could be applied to better protect pedestrians in the future.
For now, Dollywood’s rides continue to thrill, music still fills the park, and crowds continue to stream through its gates — but for those who knew Daisy Valenzuela Vives, and for the first responders who worked to save her, Friday evening’s tragedy will not soon be forgotten.