A catastrophic multi-vehicle crash in North Austin, Texas, has left five people dead — including a child and an infant — and 12 others injured. The incident, which occurred late Thursday night on March 13, 2025, involved 17 vehicles, including a semi-truck. Authorities have since arrested 37-year-old Solomun Weldekeal Araya, the driver of the truck, on five counts of Intoxication Manslaughter and two counts of Intoxication Assault.
The Austin Police Department confirmed that Araya is currently being held at the Travis County Jail. The wreck, which occurred on Interstate 35 southbound, caused widespread damage and forced a full closure of the roadway for several hours on Friday.
According to Austin-Travis County EMS, several individuals were trapped inside their vehicles when emergency responders arrived on the scene. Tragically, five people were pronounced dead at the site, including three adults, one child, and one infant. EMS personnel also confirmed that of the 12 injured survivors, three were children.
Emergency response teams described the scene as “incredibly chaotic.” Captain Christa Stedman of Austin-Travis County EMS reported that the accident spanned approximately one-tenth of a mile, and responders had to manage multiple victims simultaneously in mangled vehicles scattered across the highway.
Although the exact cause of the crash is still under investigation, law enforcement officials have pointed to intoxicated driving as a major factor. Araya’s arrest under intoxication-related charges prompted the involvement of federal authorities.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) announced on Friday that it has opened a formal safety investigation into the fatal crash. The NTSB’s “go team” includes specialists in highway safety, vehicle performance, human factors, and motor carrier compliance. NTSB Vice Chairman Alvin Brown will serve as the spokesperson at the scene during the investigation.
Images released by local media and shared on social media platforms show the devastating aftermath, with multiple vehicles totaled, debris scattered across the highway, and law enforcement conducting crash scene analysis.
The crash forced the closure of all southbound lanes on Interstate 35, one of Austin’s busiest corridors. The Austin Police Department urged drivers to avoid the area and seek alternate routes, noting that the closure would extend for several hours.
As Texas grapples with the aftermath of this devastating crash, the trucking and transportation industries are likely to face increased scrutiny over driver screening, fatigue management, and safety enforcement — especially concerning intoxicated driving among commercial drivers.
The tragedy has renewed calls for stricter oversight of commercial vehicle operators and highlights the ongoing dangers of impaired driving on American highways.
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