Pigeon Forge’s most famous stretch — the one that funnels guests directly toward Dollywood — was the scene of a devastating accident this past Friday evening.
According to the Pigeon Forge Police Department, the incident happened around 6:00 p.m. on August 8, right where Dollywood Lane meets US 441. The area was bustling with the usual mix of locals, tourists, and theme park traffic when a pedestrian was struck in the roadway.
The victim, identified as Daisy Valenzuela Vives, 58, of Ooltewah, was attempting to cross Dollywood Lane when she was hit by a vehicle driven by an 18-year-old motorist. Authorities say the driver immediately stopped, remained at the scene, and fully cooperated with police.
Emergency responders arrived quickly, and Valenzuela Vives was airlifted by LIFESTAR to UT Medical Center. Despite the urgent medical care, she succumbed to her injuries.
Police confirmed Tuesday that this was now being investigated as a fatal crash. The case is expected to be wrapped up by Wednesday, August 13, and will then be reviewed by 4th Judicial District Attorney General Jimmy Dun to determine if charges will be filed.
A Dangerous Intersection Just Steps from the Park
Dollywood Lane is one of the most recognizable roads in the Smoky Mountains — it’s the final turn before guests hit the parking booths. It’s also one of the busiest pedestrian zones in Pigeon Forge.
With cars streaming in and out of the park entrance, and foot traffic spilling over from surrounding hotels, shops, and restaurants, this stretch of asphalt becomes a constant test of driver awareness and pedestrian caution. Friday night’s tragedy underscores just how risky this location can be during peak tourist season.
Park Headlines for the Wrong Reasons
Dollywood itself wasn’t directly involved in the incident, but its name and location have made it part of the narrative — and the park has already been under scrutiny this year for other safety-related issues.
In March, an employee performing maintenance on the ride had his jacket caught in a moving coupling, entangling his arm and causing serious injury. He was airlifted for medical treatment. TOSHA later found that pulleys on the ride’s boat lift were not properly guarded and that shaft couplings posed a hazard. Dollywood corrected the violations by June 30.
Not the First Unfortunate Headline
While the fatal crash occurred outside the gates, Dollywood has seen its share of troubling incidents over the years:
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July 2024 — Heavy flooding left guests wading through waist-high water, with several vehicles submerged in the parking lot.
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July 2020 — A craftsman was injured inside the Mountain Blown Glass Shop, just a day after a falling decoration struck three guests in another section of the park.
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Summer 2023 — A water main break temporarily shut down the park.
For most visitors, these events don’t diminish the magic of the Dollywood experience, but for the small number who have been directly impacted, they leave lasting marks.
Will This Spark Change on Dollywood Lane?
The latest tragedy has already led to conversations about whether the city of Pigeon Forge should reassess traffic safety measures on Dollywood Lane.
Some locals have pointed to the need for longer pedestrian signals, more visible crosswalks, and flashing warning lights — especially during high-traffic evening hours when both daylight and driver attention can fade.
Police have not released further details about lighting, weather conditions, or whether Valenzuela Vives was in a designated crosswalk at the time. There’s been no public mention of driver impairment.
Balancing Growth with Safety
Dollywood is currently in expansion mode, with its largest-ever attraction — a five-story, fully indoor nighttime-themed experience — under construction and set to open in 2026. The expansion is part of the park’s continued rise as a major tourism anchor in the Smokies.
But as visitor numbers climb, so does the volume of cars, buses, and pedestrians flowing through the roads around it. For those who live and work in Pigeon Forge, Friday’s fatal crash is a grim reminder that infrastructure must keep pace with tourism.
For now, the rides keep operating, the music keeps playing, and the Smoky Mountain air stays filled with the scent of cinnamon bread from Dollywood’s Grist Mill. But for one family from Ooltewah, the road leading to that park will forever be tied to loss.
