A devastating crash on Interstate 35 near Parmer Lane late Thursday night resulted in the deaths of five people, including a child and an infant, after a semi-truck plowed into vehicles slowing for construction, federal investigators reported Saturday.
According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the 18-wheeler, operated by a company based in the Dallas area, did not decelerate as it approached a section where traffic was merging from three lanes into one due to road resurfacing by the Texas Department of Transportation.
The truck, driven by 37-year-old Solomun Weldekeal Araya, collided with multiple vehicles, triggering a massive chain reaction that shut down the highway for most of Friday. Investigators have yet to determine the speed at which the truck was traveling at the time of impact but plan to analyze video footage and onboard data to assess its velocity.
“This is a tragic incident, and my thoughts and condolences go out to everyone affected,” NTSB Vice Chairman Alvin Brown said at a press conference in Austin on Saturday.
Authorities reported that as many as 19 vehicles were involved in the crash. Meanwhile, Austin police arrested Araya, charging him with five counts of intoxication manslaughter and two counts of intoxication assault. The arrest affidavit stated that officers suspected he was under the influence of depressants, as he exhibited signs of impairment such as bloodshot, watery eyes and unsteady movements. However, a breathalyzer test indicated a 0.00 blood alcohol level.
Amazon spokeswoman Maureen Lynch Vogel confirmed that the truck was transporting goods for the company. “This is an awful tragedy, and our hearts go out to all those affected. We are fully cooperating with investigators,” she said in a statement.
ZBN Transport, Araya’s employer, verified that he had been working for them for around four months.
The NTSB’s inquiry will extend beyond the immediate cause of the crash to identify any underlying issues that might have contributed to the catastrophe. A preliminary report is expected within a month, though a final analysis may take up to two years.
Investigator Kenny Bragg emphasized that their goal is to understand both the circumstances of the crash and to develop recommendations that could help prevent similar incidents in the future.
