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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There was a significant reduction in the number of antisemitic incidents in Rhode Island in 2025, according to a national Jewish advocacy group.
According to the Anti-Defamation League’s latest Audit of Antisemitic Incidents, there were 26 antisemitic incidents in the state last year. That’s down from the 52 incidents counted by the group in 2024.
Samantha Joseph, New England regional director of the Anti-Defamation League, says a big reason for the reduction is a steep decline in antisemitism on college campuses.
“It shows that campus administrators are taking their responsibilities very seriously to provide a safe environment for all of their students,” said Joseph.
Brown University had over $500 million in federal funding frozen by the Trump administration last year following investigations into alleged antisemitism on campus. The funding was restored after Brown reached a settlement with the administration.
The reduction in antisemitic incidents in Rhode Island reflects a wider trend in New England as a whole. According to the ADL’s report, there were 400 antisemitic incidents in the region in 2025, compared to 638 the previous year.
While she’s pleased about the overall drop in antisemitic incidents in Rhode Island, Joseph says a number of concerning trends continue to persist. In particular, the state is still seeing more anti-Jewish incidents than it did prior to the October 7 attacks on Israel that launched the Gaza War in 2023.
Joseph is also concerned about the violent nature of local incidents of antisemitism.
“Even though overall incidents are down, assaults are up and assaults with a deadly weapon are up significantly,” said Joseph. “Our communities remain concerned for their safety, and our work is far from done.”
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Severe thunderstorms are possible Sunday evening as a cold front arrives in Central Texas. KXAN’s First Warning Weather Team will keep you updated on the weather coverage.
Risks to be aware of are damaging wind gusts that could reach as high as 60 to 75 mph and large hail up to quarter size.
Weather Resources:
Live Updates:
5:22 p.m.: A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is issued for all counties except for Milam County.
3:51 p.m.: A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for Mason, San Saba, and Lampasas County until 9:00 p.m.
3:30 p.m.: The primary risk for Sunday’s severe weather is damaging wind gusts which could cause power outages.
3:26 p.m.: Storms will likely move toward the I-35 corridor around 6 p.m. Most of the storms will enter the Hill Country around 6 p.m. and the Austin metro counties after 8 p.m.
Video of new Texas Tech System chancellor home at historic Lubbock property
The Texas Tech System is acquiring the historic Tudor Revival ‘English Home’ in Lubbock to serve as the new chancellor’s residence.
Money and rankings don’t make a great university. Providing opportunities for disadvantaged students and protecting academic freedom, however, do.
Case in point: Michael and Susan Dell recently surpassed $1 billion in giving to the University of Texas at Austin, launching a plan to build a new medical center and advanced research campus in north Austin.
To be sure, this is a magnanimous gift that will fund important initiatives. While enormously grateful for this contribution, I am disappointed that this gift was not accompanied with a strong message from Michael Dell admonishing the University for gutting DEI and infringing upon academic freedom.
As a colleague of mine astutely observed: “Good luck recruiting doctors and med students. The attacks on DEI and political climates will mean a lot more than rankings and money long-term.”
UT System Board of Regents Chairman Kevin Eltife, referencing the Dell gift, is right: “We are transforming this site into a new campus the world has never seen before.” Yes, never seen, but in a very negative and dangerous way!
Last week, I received a message from the Texas Exes: “This is your last chance to show your support during 40 Hours for the Forty Acres, UT Austin’s Texas-sized fundraising event. Can we count on you?”
My answer: “No, absolutely not. I won’t give one dime to a university that no longer is committed to diversity and preserving academic freedom.”
Having proudly taught at UT for 41 years, I am sad to say this.
– Richard Cherwitz, Ph.D. is the Ernest A. Sharpe Centennial Professor Emeritus, Moody College of Communication and Founding Director, Intellectual Entrepreneurship Consortium (IE) at The University of Texas at Austin.
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