Deadly 17-Vehicle Crash on I-35 in Austin: Five Dead, Multiple Injured
USA TODAY NETWORK
A devastating multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 35 in Austin late Thursday night left five people dead, including an infant and a young child, and injured at least a dozen others. Authorities have since arrested a suspect on multiple charges of intoxication manslaughter and intoxication assault
Suspect Arrested in Connection to the Crash
Austin Police identified 37-year-old Solomun Weldekeal Araya as the alleged perpetrator of the deadly collision. Araya has been booked into the Travis County Jail on five counts of intoxication manslaughter and two charges of intoxication assault, according to police records. Investigators believe intoxication played a significant role in the tragedy.
The catastrophic crash occurred shortly after 11:30 p.m. in the southbound lanes of I-35 near Parmer Lane. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has since launched a federal investigation into the incident.
Tragic Loss and Mass Casualties
Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) confirmed that 17 vehicles, including a semi-truck, were involved in the massive pileup. First responders declared five victims dead at the scene, among them an infant, a young child, and three adults. Eleven others suffered injuries, several of which were deemed life-threatening, while one individual refused medical transport.
Authorities have not yet released the names and ages of the victims, pending notification of their families.
Highway Shutdown and Emergency Response
In the immediate aftermath, all southbound lanes of I-35 were closed as emergency crews worked through the night to assess the damage and assist the injured. The highway was reopened by 1 p.m. on Friday. Photographs and videos from the scene depict a horrific wreckage of mangled vehicles, first responders frantically assisting victims, and the extensive impact of the crash on Austin’s major traffic artery.
Investigation Underway
The Austin Police Department, in conjunction with the NTSB, continues to piece together the sequence of events leading to the crash. Authorities urge anyone with relevant dashcam footage or firsthand witness accounts to come forward.
This latest tragedy underscores the persistent dangers of impaired driving, which remains a leading cause of fatal collisions nationwide. As the community reels from the loss, calls for stricter enforcement against intoxicated drivers are likely to intensify.
More updates will follow as the investigation unfolds.
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Deadly 17-Vehicle Crash on I-35 in Austin: Five Dead, Multiple Injured