Five dead in Austin crash while intoxicated driver faces manslaughter charges

In Austin, Texas, a significant crash occurred late Thursday night, involving 17 vehicles on Interstate 35. The collision happened just before 11:30 p.m., leading to the tragic deaths of five individuals—a combination of three adults, a child, and an infant. First responders reported that 11 additional people suffered injuries requiring hospital treatment. Authorities have identified Solomun Weldekeal Araya, age 37, as the individual responsible for this devastating incident and charged him with multiple counts including intoxication manslaughter. As of Friday, he remains in custody at Travis County Jail without a disclosed attorney, and police are still investigating the circumstances leading to the crash. The aftermath left a stretch of the interstate heavily littered with wreckage and debris. Eyewitnesses to the event expressed their shock and concern for the victims and their families, highlighting the chaotic scene that unfolded as they attempted to assist those trapped in the damaged vehicles. The southbound lanes of the interstate remained closed for several hours following the accident, reopening only after 1 p.m. on Friday. This incident follows another recent tragedy involving Nicholas Robinson, who faced DUI manslaughter charges following a separate crash that resulted in a young woman's death earlier this year. Robinson was allegedly speeding when he collided with a disabled vehicle, ultimately killing 18-year-old Gabriela Rios Flores, a student at Florida International University, and injuring another passenger. Following the death, Robinson's initial charges were escalated to vehicular homicide. Such incidents underscore the severe consequences of impaired driving and the ongoing risks posed on roads by intoxicated individuals.