A man faces multiple charges of intoxication manslaughter after a late-night crash on Interstate 35 in Austin, Texas, killed five people and left several others injured, authorities said Friday.
The massive wreck, which occurred just before 11:30 p.m. on Thursday, involved 17 vehicles. Officials confirmed that the victims included three adults, a child, and an infant. First responders transported 11 injured individuals to area hospitals.
Austin police identified the suspect as 37-year-old Solomun Weldekeal Araya. He has been charged with five counts of intoxication manslaughter and two counts of intoxication assault. Authorities confirmed that Araya was in custody at Travis County Jail, though jail records did not list an attorney for him.
Investigators have yet to disclose details regarding the circumstances leading to the collision. In a statement Friday, police said the investigation remains in its early stages, and no further information is available at this time.
The southbound lanes of Interstate 35 were shut down following the crash and remained closed until about 1 p.m. Friday. The wreckage left behind a stretch of highway scattered with mangled vehicles and debris.
“This was a very large and very complex collision,” Austin Police Officer Austin Zarling said during an early morning news conference.
Eyewitness Edgar Viera told KXAN that he rushed to the scene from a nearby store after hearing the impact. “We didn’t have the proper tools to open the vehicles, so we just did what we could,” he said. “It was hard to see this.”
