Intoxication manslaughter and assault charges filed against man in 17 vehicle pileup in Austin that killed 5

The Austin Police Department (APD) confirmed that charges have been filed against a driver involved in yesterday’s mass casualty pileup on I-35 in Texas.

Shortly after noon on Friday, APD announced that the following charges have been filed against 37 year old Solomun Weldekeal Araya:

• 5 counts Intoxication Manslaughter
• 2 counts Intoxication Assault

Araya is currently housed in the Travis County Jail.

The charges were issued in connection with a crash occurred at 11:23 p.m. on March 13 in the 12900 block of southbound I-35 in north Austin. The crash involved 17 vehicles, including at least one semi truck.

Five people were killed, including three adults, a child, and an infant.

Eleven people were hospitalized with injuries.

While the crash remains under investigation, witness Edgar Viera told KXAN that a semi truck was traveling around 80 m.p.h. when it struck stopped traffic and continued for half a mile on I-35.