Man injured in deadly I-35 crash files $100 million civil lawsuit against driver, Amazon, ZBN Transport
Nathan Jonard filed suit against Amazon Logistics, ZBN Transport and Solomun Weldekeal-Araya in Travis County Thursday.
Five people were killed and 11 others injured, including Jonard, in the March 13 crash, which happed on I-35 near Parmer Lane and Howard Lane. The crash involved 18 vehicles, including a box truck, two truck tractors, two semi-trailers and 13 passenger cars, according to an arrest affidavit for Weldekeal-Araya.
Weldekeal-Araya was arrested and charged with five counts of intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle and two counts of intoxication assault with vehicle involving serious bodily injury. In the arrest affidavit, investigators said they believe he 'was under the influence of Central Nervous System (CNS) depressants and was unable to operate a motor vehicle safely.'
'Nathan Jonard was simply trying to make it home to his family,' the lawsuit said. 'Before he could, his life was forever changed by an act of unimaginable destruction.' The lawsuit claims Jonard came to a stop in traffic due to construction, but that Weldekeal-Araya 'failed to slow down or stop, resulting in a high-impact, high-speed collision.'
Previous coverage: 'It was hard to see this': Bystanders help after fatal 17-vehicle crash
Jonard suffered multiple broken ribs and other bones. He also had a dissected artery in his neck which required surgery, according to the lawsuit, as well as a herniated disc, deep lacerations to his body and 'particularly gruesome wounds' on his head, legs and feet.
Weldekeal-Araya, 37, was driving a semi truck for Amazon at the time of the crash, but the crash was owned by ZBN Transport LLC. He was not an Amazon employee.
'This is a horrible tragedy, and our thoughts are with all those involved,' Amazon spokesperson Amber Plunkett told KXAN after the crash. 'We're looking into this further and will cooperate with law enforcement as they investigate.'
ZBN Transport told KXAN Weldekeal-Araya had been with the company for about four months, and there have not been any prior issues with him. Additionally, the company said it conducts background checks, and nothing showed up for Weldekeal-Araya.
KXAN has reached out to both Amazon and ZBN Transport, as well as Weldekeal-Araya's attorney for comment on the new lawsuit.
'[ZBN and/or Amazon] failed to exercise the requisite care, skill and expertise as would an ordinary person when hiring, retaining, entrusting a vehicle to, and training (or rather not training' [Weldekeal-Araya],' the lawsuit said.'
Jonard is seeking 'monetary relief in excess of $100 million,' in part to cover medical bills, lost wages and lost property, as well as compensation for pain, suffering, mental anguish, physical disfigurement and impairment.
Three of the five victims were identified by Austin police on Tuesday. Sergieo Daniel Lopez, 32, and Natalia Helana Perez, 25, along with Ma Concepcion Joaquin De Joaquin, 78, were killed in the crash, along with two juveniles who have not yet been named.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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