The aftermath of a tragic incident on Interstate 35 continues to unfold as the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) begins to piece together what led to the catastrophic multi-vehicle collision that claimed five lives. According to CBS Austin, NTSB Vice Chairman Alvin Brown extended his "condolences to those families who lost loved ones." The investigation, led by NTSB Investigator Kenny Bragg, is set to probe deeply into the conditions that precipitated the disaster and is expected to span a week and a half. Bragg confirmed that the collision occurred near a work zone with a lane closure that led to a significant traffic backup on the night of March 13, just before the incident unfolded.
As part of the ongoing inquiry, NTSB will scrutinize the design and safety features of the crash site, evaluating aspects such as collision avoidance technology and motor carrier operations. According to FOX 7 Austin, Bragg said that "We'll look at the engine control module. We'll look at possible surveillance video and even, telematic data from the truck" to determine the truck's speed at the time of the crash. Furthermore, the placement and standards of the work zone signage will also undergo examination to ascertain compliance with federal requirements.
Authorities have apprehended Solomun Weldekeal Araya, 37, in connection with the crash. He now faces five counts of intoxication manslaughter and two counts of intoxication assault, as he's currently held at Travis County Jail. Araya was reportedly due in court soon over a separate traffic incident. Questions linger over whether Araya was driving the Amazon Prime truck involved in the wreckage, with the Austin Police Department not confirming the connection at this time.
The full extent of the March 13 catastrophe that spanned over 500 feet and involved 17 vehicles remains to be uncovered. The NTSB's diligent efforts aim to finally bring clarity to this complex tragedy. Additional updates from the agency are anticipated as the investigation progresses, including more details from Sunday's briefing. A preliminary report on their findings is expected to be available in approximately a month's time, with a comprehensive analysis to follow within the next two years, as obtained by CBS Austin.
