Sergieo Lopez, Natalia Helena Perez Obituary, Death – Authorities have identified three of the five victims who lost their lives in a devastating 19-car crash on Interstate 35 in North Austin last week. The Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed the names of the deceased as Sergieo Daniel Lopez, Natalia Helena Perez, and Ma Concepcion Joaquin De Joaquin. However, officials stated that the identities of the two remaining victims have yet to be determined. No ages for the identified victims were released.
Deadly Chain Reaction on I-35
The fatal crash occurred late Thursday night when an 18-wheeler, transporting goods for Amazon, reportedly failed to slow down as traffic merged from three lanes into one due to ongoing roadwork. The semi-truck, unable to stop in time, barreled into a line of vehicles caught in the bottleneck, triggering a catastrophic pile-up.
The force of the collision led to five fatalities, injured at least a dozen others, and caused an extensive traffic shutdown. Southbound lanes of I-35 remained closed for approximately 12 hours as emergency responders worked to clear the wreckage and tend to the victims.
Truck Driver Arrested and Charged
The driver of the 18-wheeler, 37-year-old Solomun Weldekeal-Araya, was arrested at the scene and is now facing multiple charges, including five counts of intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle and two counts of intoxication assault. Jail records show that he is currently being held at the Travis County Jail with a combined bond set at $1.2 million.
An arrest affidavit revealed that Weldekeal-Araya exhibited clear signs of intoxication following the crash. Authorities suspect he was under the influence of central nervous system depressants, a class of drugs that includes sedatives. However, a preliminary breathalyzer test conducted on him registered a blood alcohol concentration of 0.00. Investigators are awaiting further toxicology results to determine what substances, if any, were in his system at the time of the collision.
NTSB Investigates the Incident
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) launched an investigation into the accident the day after the crash. At a press conference held on Saturday, NTSB officials provided preliminary details about the circumstances leading up to the tragedy.
According to their findings, the Texas Department of Transportation had temporarily reduced the number of open lanes on I-35 near Parmer Lane due to road repaving efforts. This construction work created a merging situation that slowed traffic significantly. Investigators confirmed that Weldekeal-Araya did not slow down as he approached the congested area, but the exact speed at which he was traveling at the time of impact remains unknown.
Eyewitness accounts corroborated this information, with multiple witnesses reporting that the semi-truck showed no signs of braking before slamming into the backed-up traffic.
Community and Legal Repercussions
The deadly crash has left the Austin community in shock, as families mourn the sudden loss of their loved ones. Many residents have also raised concerns about highway safety and the dangers of impaired driving, particularly involving large commercial vehicles.
The case against Weldekeal-Araya is expected to proceed with serious legal consequences. If convicted of intoxication manslaughter, he could face significant prison time. Meanwhile, transportation officials and safety advocates are calling for stricter regulations on commercial drivers and improved measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Safety Measures and Road Conditions
This stretch of I-35 is known for being one of the most hazardous sections of highway in the region, particularly when roadwork is underway. Traffic congestion, sudden lane reductions, and construction detours often create dangerous driving conditions, especially for large trucks that require greater stopping distances.
As the investigation continues, safety officials are urging all drivers—especially those operating heavy commercial vehicles—to remain alert, obey speed limits, and be prepared for unexpected slowdowns in construction zones. Law enforcement is also expected to increase monitoring of truck drivers for signs of impairment, fatigue, or reckless driving.
Conclusion
The fatal crash on I-35 has left a deep impact on Austin, with families grieving the loss of their loved ones and authorities working to determine the full scope of responsibility. As investigations by the NTSB and law enforcement progress, the focus remains on understanding the factors that led to the collision and ensuring that measures are taken to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
For now, the community mourns the loss of five lives and awaits further developments in the case against the truck driver accused of causing the deadly accident.
