Austin, TX
Austin I-35 crash: Truck carrying Amazon haul failed to slow for merge in deadly wreck
Driver charged in deadly Austin crash that killed at least 5
A man was arrested and charged with five counts of intoxication manslaughter in connection to the I-35 crash that killed five people and injured at least a dozen.
Traffic along Interstate 35 near Parmer Lane had slowed to a crawl late Thursday so cars could merge into one lane when a big rig barreled into them, causing a chain reaction that killed five people, federal investigators said Saturday.
The 18-wheeler, operated by a Dallas-area company, “failed to slow down” as it reached where vehicles were consolidating from three lanes into one because of a resurfacing project by the Texas Department of Transportation, according to National Transportation Safety Board officials.
Those killed, including an infant and a child, were inside two cars, NTSB investigators said.
“This is a difficult situation, and my heart and prayers go out to everyone involved,” NTSB Vice Chairman Alvin Brown told reporters Saturday afternoon in Austin.
Brown and investigator-in-charge Kenny Bragg said it is unclear at what speed the truck, driven by Solomun Weldekeal Araya, 37, was traveling when he hit the cars. Analysts will seek to determine how fast he was going using video from the scene and information stored on the truck.
The brief news conference offered the clearest insight into the cause of the crash, which also left the major thoroughfare closed nearly most of the day Friday. As many as 19 cars were hit during the crash, Austin police said in a search warrant affidavit.
NTSB officials did not discuss the criminal charges against Araya, who Austin police arrested on five charges of intoxication manslaughter and two counts of intoxication assault. He remains in the Travis County Jail.
The affidavit said that police think he was under the influence of depressants and showed signs of intoxication, including swaying and watery and bloodshot eyes. Araya tested 0.00 on a breath test, the affidavit said.
On Saturday, Amazon spokeswoman Maureen Lynch Vogel confirmed the driver was hauling a load for the company.
“This is a horrible tragedy, and our thoughts are with all those involved. We’re looking into this further and will cooperate with all investigations,” she said in a statement.
A person who answered the phone at ZBN Transport confirmed that Araya, who lives in Dallas, was his employee and had worked for the company for about four months.
NTSB officials said their investigation will consider broader issues that may have contributed to the crash and will likely issue a preliminary report in 30 days. A final report could take up to two years.
Bragg said the agency’s effort is to “not just what happened and how it happened and to recommend changes to prevent it from happening again.”
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MANOR, Texas — Multiple agencies are at the scene of a “major” crash on FM 973 in Manor.
Manor police reported the crash at around 4:48 a.m., saying that responders are on scene of a collision in the 11700 block of North FM 973 Road near Lagos Elementary School.
Police say the road is closed in both directions while officials work the scene.
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Manor PD, the Travis County Sheriff’s Office, Texas DPS, Travis County ESD 12, and Austin-Travis County EMS are also at the scene, according to police.
CBS Austin has reached out to officials from the responding agencies for more information.
This is a developing story.
AUSTIN, Texas – A 28-year-old Austin woman who was reported missing earlier this week has been located, according to the Austin Police Department.
What we know:
Police announced Saturday that Ghadah Alharbi has been found following a public appeal for information about her whereabouts.
Alharbi was last known to have contacted family members by phone around 8 p.m. on June 16. Her disappearance was described by investigators as out of character, prompting concern from both her family and the Austin Police Department.
Authorities said she had left her vehicle at her residence in Central Austin near Mueller and was known to use ride-share services for transportation.
Dig deeper:
The Austin Police Department’s Missing Persons Unit had requested the public’s assistance in locating Alharbi on Friday, citing concerns for her well-being.
In an update released Saturday, police confirmed Alharbi had been located but did not provide additional details about where she was found or the circumstances surrounding her disappearance.
Police thanked the community and media for their assistance and cooperation.
The Source: Information in this article was provided by Austin police.
Following controversial comments from head coach Steve Sarkisian and recruiting battles with other contending teams, the Texas Longhorns have once again found themselves in the national spotlight ahead of the 2026-27 season.
Just like this time 365 days ago, the Longhorns are the favorites to win the SEC Championship by the time the postseason rolls around, as well as be contenders for the national championship — despite failing to gain a playoff berth in 2025.
Ahead of the 2025 season, Texas’ preseason hype centered around quarterback Arch Manning and his first year at the helm of the Longhorns’ offense. Despite predictions that Manning would win the Heisman and be the first pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Longhorns went on to a nine-win regular season with steady, ongoing improvements in Manning’s performance.
Now, the attention from national media seems due to the “all-in” season that the Longhorns are looking toward, with a huge roster turnover through the transfer portal suggesting that this is the make-or-break year for Texas — and Manning — to achieve any national championship hopes.
However, a “make-or-break” season isn’t necessarily what’s ahead for Texas in 2026.
Texas’ Championship Hopes Aren’t Necessarily Over After 2026
It’s fair to assume that the Longhorns are going all in for a national championship in 2026, given the emphasis on experienced transfer portal talent, coaching staff changes and even talk from some players about what the team’s goals are over the offseason.
But considering 2026 as the Longhorns’ last chance for a trophy in the immediate future isn’t as easily justifiable, especially when Texas may not be considering much of a rebuild after this season ends. Sarkisian himself didn’t deny that Manning may come back for another year with Texas in 2027, and many key playmakers on both offense and defense have several more years of eligibility left.
Especially looking at Texas’ incoming class of freshmen and history with the transfer portal, it’s likely that the Longhorns are setting themselves up for longevity more than immediate success. If Manning does decide to declare for the 2027 NFL Draft, incoming freshman quarterback Dia Bell will be an exciting prospect for Texas to bank on when looking for its next offensive leader.
It’s natural that the Longhorns should continue to generate national excitement, especially with the newest five-star commit to the 2027 class. Even so, Texas has a habit of bucking the trends and national predictions. The pressure was on in 2025 to win a national championship in Manning’s first year as a starter, and as more mock drafts continue to slate him as a first-rounder, that pressure has only heightened in what most onlookers see as his last year playing college football.
Whether the Longhorns will buckle under that pressure this go-around will be seen, starting with their home opener against Texas State on Sept. 5.
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