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AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin police said a 37-year-old man has been arrested
after at least five people died and 11 were hurt in a crash involving at
least 17 vehicles, including semi-trucks, on Interstate 35 in north Austin
late Thursday night.
According to first responders, the five people who died at the crash near Parmer and Howard Lane included three adults, one child and one infant.
The other 11 people who were injured included:
four adults with critical, life-threatening injuries
four adults with minor injuries
one child with potentially life-threatening injuries
two children with minor injuries
Solomun Weldekeal Araya, 37, was charged with five counts of intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle and two counts of intoxication assault with
vehicle involving serious bodily injury in connection with the crash,
according to the Austin Police Department.
Police sources confirmed with KXAN the person arrested was the driver of a semi-truck hauling for Amazon. The driver involved in this incident is not
an Amazon employee.
https://www.kxan.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/03/Weldekeal-Araya- Solomun-WR.jpg?resize=640,360
Mugshot of Solomun Weldekeal Araya (APD photo)
An Amazon spokesperson provided the following statement regarding the
crash:
“This is a horrible tragedy, and our thoughts are with all those involved. We’re looking into this further and will cooperate with law enforcement as
they investigate,” Amazon spokesperson Amber Plunkett said.
KXAN reached out to the semi-truck company involved in the crash. The
owner of ZBN Transport LLC said Friday afternoon there’s been no contact
with its semi-truck driver. The company told KXAN Araya has been with the
ZBN Transport LLC for about four months, and there have not been any prior issues with him. Additionally, the company said it conducts background
checks, and nothing showed up for Araya.
Amazon said its third-party contractors must comply with Federal Motor
Carrier Safety Administration (FMSCA) ratings, which include background
checks and screenings. If a carrier isn’t compliant with FMCSA standards,
they can’t haul Amazon loads, Amazon said.
According to police, all the people who needed help were off the scene,
and those in critical condition were removed in about 40 minutes. APD said
the crash happened around 11:20 p.m.
The Travis County District Attorney’s Office released the following
statement to KXAN:
“Our hearts ache for the victims, their families, and our community
affected by the fatal multi-vehicle crash on I-35. Since early this
morning, our team has been in communication with APD’s Vehicular Homicide
Unit to assist in their investigation of this tragedy. Our office is
committed to seeking justice for the victims and their families and will continue to support APD in their investigation.”
The cause of the crash is being investigated, according to police.
The National Transportation Safety Board said it has opened a safety investigation into the crash. The investigation will be in coordination
with the Austin Police Department.
NTSB said the investigation team would include experts in:
highway, survival and vehicle factors
human performance
motor carrier factors
Road closures
Austin police initially posted at 11:58 p.m. on Thursday that all
southbound lanes of I-35 were closed in the area between Parmer and Howard Lanes.
Around 1 p.m. Friday, TxDOT said all lanes reopened — nearly 14 hours
after the deadly crash.
The Austin Fire Department said the extensive closure was partially due to
a diesel spill on the road, as well as time needed to clear the road of
other debris.
According to ATCEMS, the scene spread across about 1/10 of a mile.
TxDOT first reported the mainlanes would remain closed for several hours
Friday and suggested drivers find an alternate route.
The department also previously waived toll fees for drivers looking to
avoid the traffic. The toll fees have since been reinstated.
https://www.kxan.com/news/at-least-four-killed-in-multi-vehicle-crash-on- interstate-35-in-north-austin/
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