NTSB releases more details in preliminary report on I-35 crash that killed five
AUSTIN (KXAN) – The National Transportation Safety Board provided an update Thursday on its investigation into the deadly Interstate 35 crash that occurred on March 13, including which vehicles the victims were driving in.
Solomun Weldekeal-Araya, 37, was charged with intoxication manslaughter and assault charges following the 18-vehicle pileup that killed five people and injured 11 others near Parmer and Howard Lane.
Weldekeal-Araya's attorney, Bristol Myers, is asking for him to be released from jail after toxicology results found no drugs or alcohol in his system. Myers asked for his bond to be reduced to $1 in each case, due to 'a lack of probable cause,' according to court documents.
Attorney for truck driver in I-35 deadly crash asks for release, bond reduction
According to a preliminary report from NTSB, Weldekeal-Araya's tractor truck failed to slow down as he approached slowing traffic while traveling south on I-35 just after 11 p.m. Traffic was slowed due to a lane closure for an overnight pavement resurfacing project, which was scheduled from 9 p.m. to 3:30 a.m. the following day.
NTSB said Weldekeal-Araya did not stop as he approached the traffic queue and struck the rear of a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta and a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck. After hitting the two vehicles, Weldekeal-Araya continued driving into the queue for 0.1 miles, according to NTSB.
NTSB said all four people in the Jetta died. Of the three people in the pickup truck, one died, and the other two were injured. Weldekeal Araya did not suffer any injuries, NTSB said.
NTSB is still investigating the incident. Its goal is to issue safety recommendations so that similar incidents can be avoided in the future, NTSB said.
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