A pedestrian fatality brought traffic to a standstill on northbound I-35 in downtown Austin early Tuesday morning. According to CBS Austin, the collision occurred around 5:37 a.m. near 8th Street, where one adult was pronounced dead at the scene by Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services (ATCEMS).
#ATXTrafficFatality FINAL Auto-Pedestrian Incident at 900 N Ih 35 Nb (05:37). #ATCEMS & @AustinFireInfo were called for reports of a person struck by a vehicle. A deceased on scene pronouncement has been obtained for an adult patient. Expect #ATXTraffic delays. No other info. pic.twitter.com/K8kblYHcAx
— ATCEMS (@ATCEMS) September 3, 2024
The resulting investigation and response efforts have caused significant traffic disruptions, with all northbound lanes closed and traffic diverted to the 6th Street exit, KXAN has advised motorists to seek alternate routes to mitigate delays however they have not estimated a time for when lanes will reopen. Police indicated that three main lanes along with the shoulder were blocked in the aftermath of the incident, as the Texas Department of Transportation reported on social media.
As the city grappled with the ripple effects of this tragic event, officials emphasized the importance of public safety and efficient traffic management. Authorities have not released details about the pedestrian or the circumstances leading to this tragedy as the Austin Police Department continues its investigation.
Commuters in Austin faced a challenging morning as they were urged to anticipate disruptions and plan for potentially significant alterations to their daily routines. Official updates and more information on this event can be expected as the day progresses.
