Driver Arrested After Fatal Interstate 35 Crash
The driver of a tractor-trailer involved in a deadly accident late Thursday on Interstate 35 in North Austin has been taken into custody and booked into the Travis County Jail. Solomun Weldekeal Araya, 37, faces five counts of intoxication manslaughter and two charges of intoxication assault, as stated by the Austin Police Department and jail records.
Araya was apprehended during the ongoing investigation into the multi-vehicle collision that transpired shortly after 11:30 p.m. on southbound I-35, near Parmer Lane. The crash resulted in the deaths of five individuals, including an infant and a child, and injured over a dozen others.
After the incident, main lanes of the highway, which had been closed immediately following the crash, were reopened approximately 12 hours later, around 1 p.m. on Friday. A spokesperson from the National Transportation Safety Board confirmed that the agency has initiated an investigation into the incident.
Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services reported that first responders treated a total of 17 patients from 17 different vehicles involved in the crash, including the semi-truck. Among those, five individuals, including one infant, one child, and three adults, were declared dead at the scene.
“This incident was incredibly chaotic and spread out over about a tenth of a mile,” noted Austin-Travis County EMS spokesperson Capt. Christa Stedman during a news conference early Friday.
Eleven additional patients were transported to various hospitals, with several in critical, life-threatening condition. One patient opted not to go to the hospital. The identities of the victims have not been disclosed, with the Austin Police Department stating they usually take several days to release such information.
St. David’s Round Rock Medical Center reported that one of the two patients admitted was treated and discharged, while the other was in fair condition. The situation continues to develop, and authorities encourage anyone affected by the crash to reach out for support.
If you need assistance, affected individuals can contact APD Victim Services at (512) 974-5037 or via email at victim.services@austintexas.gov. This story will be updated as more details become available.
