Austin, TX
Are road rage incidents increasing in Central Texas?
AUSTIN, Texas – If it feels like you’re seeing more road rage incidents, AAA says you may not be wrong.
As Central Texas grows, there are more drivers on the road. Some of them might be frustrated or even having a bad day, and AAA says that could easily spill over to other drivers, creating a bit more road rage.
In Round Rock, a crash shut down all of the southbound lanes on I-35 near the McNeil Bridge on Friday.
One driver who witnessed the crash told FOX 7 Austin that a white Sudan was swerving through traffic and break checked another vehicle up ahead.
“Road rage is a big problem, and it’s a growing problem in our state,” said Daniel Armbruster, a spokesperson for AAA.
APD cautions drivers after road rage homicide
A woman was shot to death in her car last weekend in north Austin, and her killer still has not been caught. Homicide detectives have ruled this a case of road rage, something they get reports of every week.
Just this Monday, Austin police said a child was shot in the head, and an adult was hit in the chest following a possible road rage incident in south Austin.
Police believe a dark gray Volkswagen cut off another vehicle, and then the passenger in the VW started shooting at the victim’s vehicle.
“Incidents have increased over the past few years, and the types of crashes that have resulted from them have increased,” said Armbruster.
Armbruster said in 2022 there were more than 1,600 crashes statewide caused by road rage.
Seven were deadly, and another 39 caused suspected serious injuries.
“It was really really scary,” said Melissa, an Austin driver.
Melissa is thankful to walk away from a road rage incident unscathed.
“I was yielding,” said Melissa. “I could hear the person behind me, like, getting angry and upset. Their window was down. He hit me. He bumped me. It was like a fender bender and then he just lost it. He was hitting the roof of his car, yelling. And then he just got out of the car and came over and talked to me normally. He was, like, shaking, but luckily he didn’t do anything.”
She peacefully exchanged insurance with the other driver.
Even though the incident happened years ago, it sticks with her when she drives today.
“Honestly, I see people on the highway not interacting with me but with other people interacting with each other on a regular basis,” said Melissa. “It’s definitely still an issue.”
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Perhaps the solution, AAA says, is showing a little more grace on the roads.
“It is a big problem in our state, and certainly one of the best things that drivers can do is don’t offend, be tolerant and forgiving and just don’t respond, don’t react, and don’t further escalate that situation,” said Armbruster.
As for the south Austin shooting, police said they’re still looking for the suspects.
Anyone with any information may submit a tip anonymously through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program by visiting austincrimestoppers.org or calling 512-472-8477. A reward of up to $1,000 may be available for any information that leads to an arrest.
The two victims are in stable condition at the hospital.
AUSTIN, Texas – Central Texans gather to celebrate Juneteenth or “Freedom Day” on June 19 and commemorate the end of slavery.
What you can do:
The Greater East Austin Youth Association (GEAYA) is hosting the Central Texas Juneteenth Parade and Festival today (6/19).
It’s free and taking place at Rosewood Park in East Austin located at 2300 Rosewood Ave.
The schedule for the events is as follows:
- ACME Juneteenth FunRun – 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
- Juneteenth Historical Parade – 10 AM – 12 PM
- Park Celebration and Fireworks – 12 PM – 9:45 PM
Other events
On June 20, the Carver Kickback: Juneteenth Edition will be taking place 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural, and Genealogy Center located at 1165 Angelina Street.
It will be a day of celebration and remembrance and there will be BBQ plates and music as well as vendors and hands-on activations.
The backstory:
Juneteenth commemorates the end of formal slavery in Texas on June 19, 1865, two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, and more than one month following the end of the American Civil War.
Colloquially known as “The Black 4th of July,” Juneteenth marks the beginning of an African American journey to carve a new place in society for free people to shape identities independent of racial caricature, eradicate slave culture, promote ethnic pride, and create economic prosperity.
The Source: Information from City of Austin and Greater East Austin Youth Association and reporting by Jessica Rivera.
Juneteenth celebrations are happening across the city this weekend. The events will mark the 161st anniversary of the day Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay to announce that more than 250,000 enslaved people in Texas were free. The announcement on June 19, 1865, came more than two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. June 19 — known as Juneteenth — became a federal holiday in 2021.
From historical bike rides to Austin’s annual parade, here are seven events taking place in Austin.
Annual Juneteenth FunRun, June 19
The city of Austin’s African American Cultural and Heritage Facility will host a fun run starting at 8:30 a.m. on Friday at East Martin Luther King Jr. Street and Leona Street, and concluding at Hargrave Street near the Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex. Participants will have one hour to complete the course. The route is the same as the parade through the African American Historical Cultural District that will start later that morning. Runners and walkers of all ages and levels can participate.
Central Texas Juneteenth Parade & Festival, June 19
The annual Juneteenth parade will take place Friday and begin at 10 a.m. at East Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Leona Street and will travel down to Chicon Street before turning on Rosewood Avenue. The parade will feature floats, live music and performers.
A Very Juneteenth Comedy Jam, June 19
The Velveeta Room, Austin’s longest-running comedy club, will have shows highlighting Black voices Friday night at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. The 18+ event will feature comedians like Freddy Do Less and Roderick McDaniel. Tickets for both shows are around $23.
Sistas Walk And Talk: Juneteenth Edition, June 20
Texas Sistas Society will host a 3-mile walk and talk Saturday at 515 S. Pleasant Valley Road starting at 7:45 a.m. Texas Sistas Society is an Austin-based community created for Black women and women of color. Attendees are encouraged to wear Juneteenth colors: red, yellow, green or black, and to RSVP ahead of time.
The Carver Kickback: Juneteenth Edition, June 20
The George Washington Carver Museum in Austin is dedicated to creating a “space where the global contributions of all Black people are celebrated.” The museum is hosting a free celebration from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday with barbecue plates, live music, vendors and activities for all ages.
Black Auteur Film Festival, June 20
The Black Auteur Film Festival, a nonprofit dedicated to uplifting Black filmmakers in Texas, is hosting its third annual film festival to showcase short films directed by Black Texans at AFS Cinema on Saturday. One filmmaker will win the $1,000 “Best of Fest” award, and attendees can enter a raffle for a chance to win Austin Film Society memberships and movie tickets. The festival runs from 2 to 5 p.m. Tickets are $14.
Juneteenth Social Ride, June 21
Black History Bike Ride, an Austin nonprofit teaching people about the city’s Black history through cycling, is hosting its seventh annual Juneteenth ride starting at the Haskell House on Saturday at 10 a.m. Austin-based historian Harrison Eppright will serve as the ride’s guide. Registration is required for all attendees. The event is free, but donations are encouraged.
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Data analyst Corey Yeung created the ATX Running Guide to help runners find community across Central Texas. What started as a personal project has become one of Austin’s most comprehensive running resources.
Looking for a Run Club? There’s a Map for That
When Corey Yeung moved to Austin three years ago, he had a simple question:
“How many run clubs are actually out there?” The answer wasn’t easy to find. While several websites listed local groups, Yeung felt none offered a complete picture. So, he decided to build one himself. What started as a spreadsheet evolved into ATX Running Guide, a website and social media platform that helps runners discover clubs throughout the Austin area.
“The list would be more useful if it were a map and search tool,” Yeung said. “The Instagram page was simply a way to communicate those free resources to the community.”
Today, the guide covers running groups from San Marcos to Hutto and serves as a one-stop resource for runners looking to connect. In this episode of KXAN’S Plus Simple Health, Corey Yeung walks us through everything you need to know about the 200-plus running clubs in Austin.
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