Deadly I-35 crash: APD chief supports initial decision on intoxication charges
The Brief
In March, a truck driver was accused of causing a deadly multi-vehicle crash on I-35 in Austin
A toxication report revealed he was sober at the time of the crash
Initially, he was thought to be under the influence, and APD Chief Lisa Davis supports that decision
AUSTIN, Texas - A truck driver accused of causing a deadly pile-up on I-35 in March was charged with intoxication manslaughter and intoxication assault, but lab results later revealed he was sober.
The Austin police chief said she supports her investigators' initial decision on charges involving intoxication.
What they're saying
"The point and the fact does not change that this was the man behind the wheel driving that car," Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said.
Solomun Weldekeal-Araya was driving a semi-truck on I-35 when police said he plowed into the cars ahead as the lanes reduced from three to one. Five people were killed and almost a dozen more were injured.
During the field sobriety test, Austin police said Weldekeal-Araya had uncontrollable eye movements, was swaying, didn't correctly complete the walk and turn or one-leg stand tests, and appeared very calm and indifferent, which seemed unusual given the circumstances.
Later, when Weldekeal-Araya was in the hospital, another Austin police officer said "he observed the onset of nystagmus, and he appeared drowsy."
Court documents said the two officers believed Weldekeal-Araya was under the influence of central nervous system depressants.
"In the way that APD does it, when you have the horizontal gaze, and you're going off of that and the officer's looking at that and doing performance measures, a second officer has to verify that before charges are filed. So, a second officer verified that, and so the charges were made," Chief Davis said.
Weldekeal-Araya was arrested and charged with five counts of intoxication manslaughter and two counts of intoxication assault.
"It is not uncommon when you get a DUI charge and there are no breathalyzers, or it's showing negative for the breathalyzer, to make those charges and see what the lab results are," Chief Davis said.
The lab results came back, and they showed no alcohol or drugs in Weldekeal-Araya's system.
Late last month, a judge reduced his bond from more than a million dollars to $7,000 after his attorney argued there wasn't probable cause to hold him for those charges.
Weldekeal-Araya was released this month. He is not allowed to drive a commercial vehicle and must take random drug tests.
"I don't have a problem with the investigation. The investigation is ongoing," Chief Davis said.
What's next
APD said their vehicular homicide unit is working with the Travis County District Attorney's Office to determine specific charges.
Weldekeal-Araya's attorney is set to check in with the district attorney's office next month.
The Source
Information from interviews conducted by FOX 7 Austin's Meredith Aldis
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