No Alcohol or Drugs Detected in Blood Test of Truck Driver Involved in Fatal I-35 Crash in Austin
In a tragic incident that occurred on March 14 in North Austin, truck driver Solomun Weldekeal Araya is facing serious legal consequences after being involved in a devastating crash on I-35 that resulted in multiple fatalities. Although Araya initially faced five charges of intoxication manslaughter and two charges of intoxication assault, recent developments indicate that an expanded blood test revealed no traces of alcohol or drugs.
Araya’s attorney, Bristol C. Myers, confirmed these test results and mentioned efforts are underway to seek a reduction in Araya’s bond. Despite the blood test results, police based their initial charges on Standardized Field Sobriety Tests and drug recognition evaluations conducted at the scene. Witnessing signs of intoxication—such as bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, and swaying—police noted a preliminary breathalyzer test returned a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of 0.00.
The crash involved 17 vehicles and resulted in the deaths of three adults, a child, and a baby, prompting multiple lawsuits from victims totaling over $150 million in claims. After the incident, Araya was assigned a $1.2 million bond, reflecting the seriousness of the charges against him. As the case progresses, investigators and the Travis County District Attorney’s Office will determine the specific charges based on the evolving evidence, including the blood test results.
