Speeding Amazon semi caused 17-vehicle crash on I-35 in Austin; at least 5 dead, 11 injured

[dalton99a]

Last edited Sat Mar 15, 2025, 12:45 AM - Edit history (3)

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/03/14/austin-multi-vehicle-crash-deaths-injuries/82399554007/
5 dead, including 2 children, after 17-vehicle crash in Austin; several others injured
Taylor Ardrey
USA TODAY

Five people are dead, including children, and several were left hospitalized following a multi-vehicle crash in Austin, Texas on Thursday, officials said.

The fatal incident, which also involved a semi-truck, occurred on Interstate 35 in North Austin, and authorities responded to the scene just before 11:30 p.m.

They discovered "multiple patients pinned in their vehicles," Captain Christa Stedman of Austin Travis County EMS said at a press conference.

Stedman added that 17 individuals and cars were involved in the crash. Among the deceased were an infant, another child, and three adults. They were pronounced dead at the location.


https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/bystanders-help-after-fatal-17-vehicle-crash/
‘It was hard to see this’: Bystanders help after fatal 17-vehicle crash
by: Julianna Russ
Posted: Mar 14, 2025 / 06:38 AM CDT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A witness of a fatal 17-vehicle crash late Thursday night on Interstate 35 in north Austin spoke with KXAN about the incident.

Edgar Viera, who was at a nearby store and heard the crash, claimed an 18-wheeler was going 80 mph and did not stop for half a mile as it hit other vehicles. The exact speed of the 18-wheeler is not yet known.

Viera said traffic was already completely stopped when the 18-wheeler crashed into the other truck, which slowed it down.

Witnesses described seeing cars in shambles and the injured lying on the road.


https://www.kxan.com/news/at-least-four-killed-in-multi-vehicle-crash-on-interstate-35-in-north-austin/
Arrest made after crash kills at least 5 people, shuts down I-35 in north Austin
by: Katie Bosnjak, Brianna Hollis, Valentina Misas, Julianna Russ
Posted: Mar 14, 2025 / 12:51 AM CDT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin police said 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.

Police sources confirmed with KXAN the driver of an Amazon truck was arrested related to the crash, which was near Parmer and Howard Lane. According to sources, the person arrested was charged with five counts of intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle and two counts of intoxication assault with vehicle involving serious bodily injury.

A first responder source said preliminary evidence showed an Amazon truck caused the crash. KXAN has requested a comment from Amazon.


https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/man-arrested-charged-with-intoxication-manslaughter-in-fatal-17-car-collision-on-i-35
Man arrested, charged with intoxication manslaughter in fatal 17-car collision on I-35
by Tara Brolley
Fri, March 14th 2025 at 12:24 PM

AUSTIN, Texas — Authorities have arrested a 37-year-old man in connection with Thursday night's 17-vehicle crash on I-35 that left five people dead, including an infant and a child.

Solomun Weldekeal Araya faces five counts of intoxication manslaughter and two counts of intoxication assault, according to the Austin Police Department. He is currently in custody at the Travis County Jail.

...

[Passages]

1. OMG

**claimed an 18-wheeler was going 80 mph and did not stop for half a mile as it hit other vehicles.

[Attilatheblond]

3. sadly, physics play a part in the inabilty to stop instantly after hitting other vehicles

Now, that 80 MPH deal, that's on the driver.

Also curious how long had he been driving that day? Seem to recall the LAST Trump administration 'relaxed' rules about how may hours drivers could be made to drive.

Exhaustion and rushed schedules kill, but, you know, trump does what big business wants and trump doesn't give a damn who gets hurt/killed

[Passages]

5. Good questions.

[yardwork]

6. Driver might have fallen asleep or had a medical event.

I doubt the driver deliberately caused the wreck.

[Irish_Dem]

7. We don't know if it was deliberate or not.

Nothing would surprise me anymore.

[Meowmee]

20. It says he was charged with intoxication manslaughter in the last article- I think

[dalton99a]

8. Yep. Conservation of momentum of 80 mph semi hitting stopped traffic

[EdmondDantes_]

17. I don't know the specific road, but there are highways in Texas with speed limits of 85

And the last time I was driving there, I was being passed like I was standing still. Seems way faster than most people (including me) can handle safely. And that's reflected in Texas having higher car accident fatality rates.

[Moostache]

2. Jeff Bezos ethos at play in our streets?

If the guy was speeding due to unrealistic deliver deadlines and penalties from Amazon ...

(I have heard horror stories from people who left private shipping businesses because they could not escape dealing with Amazon and draconian tactics anywhere in that sector these days and they could not abide the stress and headaches it wrought on them and their lives as a result)

It may turn out that the driver was responsible for other reasons, so I withhold full judgment in that case.

...then I think Jeff Bezos should ride his next dick-shaped rocket to orbit...strapped to the outside....coem to think of it, even IF it is 100% the driver's fault or even an 'act of god' occurrence - strap Jeff to the outside and light that candle anyway!

[multigraincracker]

4. Should have kept up my ambulance chasing career.

Lots of money here.

[Quakerfriend]

9. So sad!! I believe that Amazon drivers are

under contract with a separate company.

Several years ago my son’s parked car was badly
damaged in a hit & run by an Amazon truck driver.
He was able to obtain clear video of the accident from a nearby security camera but, Amazon did not return calls or accept any responsibility.

[Swede]

10. My niece was a first responder a few years back attending an bad accident.

Cops, ambulance and firefighters all were given time off and counselling after the accident. She quit a few months later, and will not discuss the accident.

[Passages]

13. Horrific, I am sure. How they cope I don't know, even with counsel.

They are very special people.

[Attilatheblond]

19. Brother was paramedic in Malibu area. Some days, when he finally off duty, he would cradle my then toddler in his arms

She sensed Uncle just needed a hug and was fine to let him encircle her protectively.

One day, after scraping a couple kids off the PCH while the drunk driver made excuses, his partner said it took him & 5 CHP officers to hold him back from ripping the drunk apart with his bare hands. My brother is a big guy and one's sense of justice only goes so far before snapping and dishing out justice on the spot.


I understand your niece's feelings, all too well. Give her a hug for me... 'Just because'.

[LudwigPastorius]

11. Horrible.

I’m wondering if this was due to the driver having a medical emergency, and why semis don’t have a ‘dead man switch’ that would slow the truck to a stop in such an event.

There are no technological reasons this couldn’t be implemented.

[dalton99a]

12. Police said he was arrested for intoxication manslaughter

It is a very dangerous portion of the interstate because of construction and shitty traffic management by TxDOT

[Initech]

14. This is what deregulating capitalism gets you.

[hlthe2b]

15. OMG. I wasn't there to see it, but I am absolutely horrified at the depiction.

Intoxicated? OMG.

[ananda]

16. OMG, I know that area.

It's only a few miles from where I live.

I wonder if Amazon's treatment of workers
had something to do with it.

[Texasgal]

18. The pictures are awful

I've not seen anything like this as a Native Austinite, EVER. Horrific.