Federal Investigators Share Initial Findings on Thursday’s Deadly Pileup
National Transportation Safety Board officials revealed Saturday that a highway construction zone requiring traffic to merge from three lanes to one directly contributed to the deadly I-35 crash that killed five people Thursday night in north Austin. During a news conference, NTSB Investigator Kenny Bragg confirmed that a truck tractor failed to slow down before striking multiple vehicles in traffic that had backed up beyond the resurfacing work zone. The crash claimed the lives of three adults, a child, and an infant while injuring at least eleven others. Investigators are examining whether the construction setup met federal safety standards while focusing on the truck driver’s condition and speed at the time of impact.
5 Key Points
- A construction work zone reducing traffic from three lanes to one was established at 9 p.m. Thursday before the multi-vehicle crash that killed five people.
- NTSB confirmed the truck driver, Solomun Weldekeal Araya, 37, failed to slow down before hitting several vehicles in backed-up traffic.
- Araya faces five counts of intoxication and manslaughter with a vehicle following the Thursday night collision.
- The crash on I-35 near Parmer and Howard Lanes killed three adults, a child, and an infant.
- NTSB’s on-scene investigation will continue for 7-10 days, with another update expected Sunday.
Timeline of the Fatal I-35 Crash in Austin
- Thursday, March 13, 2025, 9:00 p.m.: The Texas Department of Transportation establishes a work zone on I-35 southbound at milepost 245, reducing three lanes to one
- Thursday, March 13, 2025, 9:00 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.: Significant traffic congestion develops beyond the construction area
- Thursday, March 13, 2025, at approximately 11:30 p.m., a Truck tractor driven by Solomun Weldekeal Araya failed to slow down and crashed into multiple vehicles
- Thursday, March 13, 2025, late night: First responders confirm five fatalities and transport at least eleven injured people to local hospitals
- Friday, March 14, 2025: Austin Police charge Araya with five counts of intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle
- Saturday, March 15, 2025, afternoon: NTSB holds first news conference revealing initial investigation findings
- Sunday, March 16, 2025: NTSB scheduled to provide additional updates on investigation progress
How Did Construction Conditions Contribute to the Fatal Collision?
NTSB investigators have identified the Texas Department of Transportation’s resurfacing operation as a significant factor in creating conditions that led to the crash. During Saturday’s news conference, Kenny Bragg explained that workers had reduced the normally three-lane highway to a single-traffic lane at 9:00 p.m. that evening. This substantial reduction in capacity created a traffic bottleneck that extended well beyond the immediate construction zone. Vehicles were forced to slow dramatically and merge as they approached the work area, resulting in a line of congested traffic stretching back along the interstate. “There is a federal standard as to how work zones should be designed, how they should be constructed, including signage, speed reduction, lane closures,” Bragg noted during the briefing. Investigators are now working to determine whether appropriate warning signs, proper distance markers, and adequate merge instructions were in place to alert approaching drivers about the congestion ahead. The NTSB will compare the actual setup with federal guidelines to determine if any work zone design or implementation deficiencies contributed to the crash circumstances.
What Questions Are Federal Investigators Focusing On?
The NTSB has outlined several critical areas of investigation as they work to determine the precise cause of Thursday’s deadly crash. Kenny Bragg confirmed investigators are examining both the construction zone configuration and the truck driver’s condition at the moment before impact. Key questions include whether proper warning signage was in place if the speed reduction was adequately marked, and whether the lane closure procedures followed federal safety standards. Equally important to investigators is understanding why the truck driver failed to slow down before striking multiple vehicles. The NTSB plans to analyze the truck’s speed at impact, the driver’s level of awareness, and any factors that might have contributed to his apparent failure to recognize the congested traffic ahead. NTSB Vice Chairman Alvin Brown emphasized that their investigation focuses on determining probable cause rather than assigning criminal liability. “Since we’re just beginning our investigation, we do not have a great deal of information to report. We don’t speculate or focus on liability or criminal intent. We focus on probable cause, why it happened, and how to prevent it from happening again,” Brown explained during Saturday’s press conference. The on-scene phase is expected to continue for at least a week before investigators move to analyzing their findings.
How Are Officials Addressing the Human Impact of this Tragedy?
Thursday’s collision on I-35 has left families grieving and a community searching for answers. During Saturday’s press conference, NTSB Vice Chairman Alvin Brown took a moment to acknowledge the human tragedy behind the investigation statistics. “I always say every life is important. Every family matters. And this is a difficult situation, and my heart and prayers go out to everyone involved and impacted,” Brown stated. The crash claimed five lives, including a child and an infant, while sending at least eleven others to local hospitals with varying degrees of injuries. Emergency responders faced a challenging scene Thursday night, stretching approximately one-tenth of a mile along the interstate. First responders from Austin EMS, Austin Police Department, and Austin Fire Department coordinated their efforts to treat victims and transport the injured to medical facilities. Local authorities have not yet released the identities of those killed in the crash, likely because family notifications are still underway. The NTSB has indicated they will provide additional updates during a press briefing scheduled for Sunday as they continue gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses.
FAQ
Q: What caused the I-35 crash in Austin on Thursday night?
A: According to NTSB, a highway construction zone that reduced traffic from three lanes to one created significant congestion, and a truck tractor failed to slow down before striking several vehicles in the backed-up traffic.
Q: When did the fatal I-35 crash occur?
A: The crash occurred Thursday night (March 13, 2025) around 11:30 p.m., approximately two and a half hours after a construction zone was established at 9:00 p.m.
Q: How many people died in the Austin I-35 crash?
A: Five people were killed: three adults, one child, and one infant. All were pronounced dead at the scene.
Q: Who has been charged in connection with the I-35 crash?
A: Solomun Weldekeal Araya, 37, has been charged with five counts of intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle, according to the Austin Police Department.
Q: What is the NTSB investigating about the crash?
A: The NTSB is investigating whether the work zone met federal safety standards, the condition of the truck driver at the time of the crash, and the truck’s speed at impact. Their goal is to determine probable cause and how to prevent similar tragedies.
Q: When will more information about the crash investigation be available?
A: The NTSB stated they plan to provide another update during a press briefing scheduled for Sunday, March 16. Their on-scene investigation is expected to continue for 7-10 days.
Citations
Torres, Anthony & Ramkissoon, Jaclyn (March 15, 2025). Fatal I-35 crash: NTSB provides first updates on its investigation. KXAN. https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/ntsb-to-provide-update-on-friday-morning-i-35-crash-that-killed-5-people/
