AUSTIN, Texas — The attorney for the truck driver arrested in the deadly 18-vehicle crash that left three adults and two children dead in March said there were no traces of drugs or alcohol in his system at the time of the crash.
Solomun Weldekeal Araya, 37, faces five charges of intoxication manslaughter and two charges of intoxication assault for the fatal crash on March 13 near Parmer and Howard lanes.
Bristol Myers, the attorney for Araya, told Spectrum News that Araya’s toxicology report came back showing no drugs or alcohol in his system the night of the crash. Myers said he feels his client should be let out of jail and the current charges dropped.
The Austin Police Departmart confirmed their knowledge of the toxicology report. In a statement, they said:
“The Austin Police Department is aware of the preliminary toxicology reports for Solomun Weldekeal-Araya. At this time, the APD Vehicular Homicide Unit is working with the Travis County District Attorney’s Office to determine specific charges. The original charges were based on Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs) and drug recognition examinations conducted by APD officers during the initial investigation. The investigation is still ongoing.”
The crash happened in a construction zone, and at the time of the crash, traffic had begun to build up, according to NTSB.
