A deadly early morning crash on the southbound I‑35 frontage road near FM 1327 brought traffic to a standstill Saturday and left one person dead, according to Austin police.
Officers were called to the 13000 block of the frontage road shortly after 4 a.m., and the scene quickly turned into a full shutdown as investigators and cleanup crews moved in. The Texas Department of Transportation closed all three lanes and both shoulders while emergency crews worked, which quickly tangled the morning drive for anyone heading through far South Austin. Drivers were urged to find another way around while police worked the scene and gathered evidence.
According to KEYE (CBS Austin), the Austin Police Department received a call at 4:19 a.m. reporting a collision involving an 18-wheeler and a passenger vehicle in the 13000 block of the southbound frontage road near FM 1327. TxDOT confirmed a commercial-vehicle crash at 4:23 a.m. and said the roadway was fully closed while crews worked.
13000 S IH 35 Southbound Service Rd is shut down temporarily. Please find an alternate route and drive safely.
— Austin Police Department (@Austin_Police) February 14, 2026
Where It Happened And Recent Crash History
This stretch of I‑35 has seen serious trouble before. In March 2025, a 17-vehicle pileup involving a semi killed five people and put a harsh spotlight on safety along the corridor. That high-profile wreck showed how quickly a single crash on I‑35 can explode into a multi-fatality disaster, according to CBS Texas.
Investigation And Traffic Impacts
Investigators remained on scene through Saturday morning, and police said they expected the roadway to reopen within a few hours once crews finished their work. No other injuries were reported, and authorities had not yet released the name of the person who died, per KEYE (CBS Austin).
This story will be updated as officials release more information. In the meantime, drivers in the area should plan for delays and consider alternate routes while crews clear the scene.
