AUSTIN, Texas — A preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board found that the truck driver involved in the 18-vehicle crash in North Austin last month that killed five people failed to come to a stop during a traffic slowdown caused by construction and lane closures.
The March 13 crash happened on Interstate 35 near Parmer and Howard Lanes. One child, one infant and three adults were killed as a result of the crash, and 11 others were injured.
Solomon Weldekeal-Araya, 37, was traveling south in an 18-wheeler that was hauling goods for Amazon.
At around 11 p.m., Weldekeal-Araya approached traffic but did not stop, investigators found, which resulted in the 18-wheeler colliding with a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta passenger car and a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck at the end of the line of traffic.
The 18-wheeler continued south into the line of traffic for about 0.1 miles, the report found, which caused 13 other vehicles to be involved in the crash before Weldekeal-Araya’s vehicle came to a stop on the left shoulder.
The crash happened in a 2.2 mile short-term work zone for an overnight pavement resurfacing project that started March 13 at 9 p.m. and was scheduled to finish March 14 at 3:30 a.m. Three lanes were reduced into one in the work zone and the speed limit was lowered from 70 mph to 60 mph.
Weldekeal-Araya was arrested and charged with five counts of intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle along with other charges as a result of the crash, according to the Austin Police Department.
On Monday, Weldekeal-Araya’s attorney told Spectrum News that his client's toxicology report came back showing there were no drugs or alcohol in his system during the crash.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the Texas Department of Transportation and the Austin Police Department contributed to the investigation.
The crash remains under investigation while the NTSB determines the probable cause.
