A 37-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a devastating 17-vehicle crash on I-35 in North Austin that claimed the lives of five people, including an infant and a child.
Austin police have charged Solomun Weldekeal Araya with five counts of intoxication manslaughter and two counts of intoxication assault. He is currently being held at the Travis County Jail. Records show Araya has an upcoming court date next week for a previous speeding violation in Wilmer, near Dallas.
The crash occurred late Thursday night in the southbound lanes of I-35 between Howard Lane and Parmer Lane, an area under construction with concrete barriers restricting traffic flow. Emergency responders confirmed that five victims—three adults, one child, and an infant—died at the scene, while 11 others, including multiple children, were transported to local hospitals with injuries.
Captain Christa Stedman of Austin-Travis County EMS described the scene as chaotic, with the wreckage spanning roughly a tenth of a mile. Despite the complexity, emergency crews evacuated all patients from the scene within 40 minutes.
Araya was driving an 18-wheeler transporting goods for Amazon at the time of the crash. In response, Amazon issued a statement expressing condolences and clarifying that Araya was an independent contractor, not a direct employee.
The National Transportation Safety Board has launched an investigation, assembling a team of experts to analyze factors including highway conditions, vehicle performance, and human decision-making leading up to the crash.
Witness Edgar Viera, who assisted in rescuing victims, described a chaotic and horrifying scene with debris flying through the air. He recounted seeing a young girl on the ground, feeling helpless in the moment.
Authorities reported that while an 18-wheeler involved in the crash suffered a fuel tank rupture, it did not ignite. Another vehicle caught fire but was quickly extinguished by a bystander before firefighters arrived.
For those affected by the tragedy, APD Victim Services counselors are available for support at 512-974-5037 or via email at [email protected].
The investigation into the crash remains ongoing.
