Dallas — Early on New Year’s Eve morning, the Dallas area woke to heartbreaking news: Dr. Areeb Zamir, 37, a well-loved pulmonologist from Garland, Texas, was found dead on U.S. Highway 75 in Dallas after a tragic crash that also claimed two others.
Dr. Zamir was discovered lying in the northbound lanes of North Central Expressway near the Interstate 635 junction shortly before 5:30 a.m. on December 31. Dallas police and emergency crews rushed to the scene, but he was pronounced dead at the roadway. Authorities have not yet released details about how he ended up in the road, and the incident remains under investigation.
Minutes later, a second crash occurred just a short distance away in the southbound lanes. That collision, which involved at least one vehicle bursting into flames, claimed two additional lives. Their identities have not been made public as investigators continue to piece together what unfolded in those early, chaotic hours.
Dr. Zamir was more than a physician to his patients and colleagues. Born in 1988, he built a respected medical career that reflected both deep expertise and rare compassion. Trained at St. George’s University School of Medicine, he completed his residency at Lehigh Valley Health Network and further fellowship work in pulmonary and critical care medicine at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. Patients and peers admired him for his dedication to listening, clear explanations, and his unwavering commitment to care.
At Baylor Scott & White Medical Center and other North Texas facilities, Dr. Zamir treated chronic respiratory conditions and guided preventive care with a gentle, patient-first approach. His warmth and thoughtful nature made him a trusted presence for many families across the community. Outside of medicine, he cherished moments with his wife, Dr. Nabila Zamir, and their two young children, ages 8 and 3, who survive him along with his proud parents, Nazia and Zafar Zamir.
News of his passing sparked an outpouring of grief throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth region. Messages of sympathy, prayers, and memories have spread from patients, colleagues, and neighbors, all echoing the same sentiment: Dr. Zamir’s kindness and skill made a lasting impact that will not be forgotten.
Funeral services are being held in accordance with Islamic tradition, with the janazah set to take place after Friday prayers and burial following at Farmersville Cemetery. Loved ones hope that celebrating his life in community brings comfort during this difficult time.
Dr. Areeb Zamir’s legacy lives on in the countless lives he touched — as a healer, husband, father, and friend — and in the deep gratitude of the community he served with humility and grace.
