Early Saturday morning, a fatal crash in north Austin claimed the life of one person, causing major traffic disruptions along a busy interstate. The collision, which involved a pickup truck and an 18-wheeler, occurred on North Interstate 35 near Rutherford Lane around 5:50 a.m., as reported by KXAN.
The casualty, an adult whose identity has not been released, was pronounced dead at the scene. "AFD crews remain on scene for extrication of the deceased victim that is pinned in the vehicle," a statement obtained by KXAN from the Austin Fire Department. According to the Austin-Travis County EMS, the accident has led to extended traffic closures, advising drivers to steer clear of the area.
FINAL #ATXTrafficFatality ~8200blk N I35 Svrd NB (05:49 x-st Rutherford) A deceased on-scene pronouncement was obtained on an adult. Expect extended #ATXtraffic closures for investigation. Avoid the area by selecting an alternate route. No further information is available. pic.twitter.com/zDJdFPSizZ
— ATCEMS (@ATCEMS) December 9, 2023
The Texas Department of Transportation confirmed that all lanes on N. I-35 after US 183 was closed due to the collision and traffic was being diverted to the frontage road at Rundberg Ln. This information was passed on through social media and has affected thousands of motorists throughout the morning.
As the authorities worked to clear the site, ATCEMS cautioned motorists to expect significant delays and to choose alternate routes when possible. "Expect extended closures for the investigation," was the advice given out by ATCEMS, hinting at the gravity of the situation and the length of time needed to properly examine the scene.
As of the latest update, no further details about the incident or the victim have been made available. The investigation continues, and updates will follow once more information is gathered and confirmed by officials.
