News: Man faces DUI charges after fatal NW Austin wreck 

NORTHWEST AUSTIN, TX – A 37-year-old man faces several DUI-related charges after causing a 17-vehicle wreck with a semi-truck that killed five people and sent 11 to local hospitals Thursday.

ABC Action News publicly identified the suspect as Solomun Weldekeal Araya. He faces “five counts of intoxication manslaughter and two counts of intoxication assault.” Austin Police confirmed that he has been booked into the Travis County Jail.

Austin Travis County Emergency Medical Services told the initial source that the collision happened before 11:30 p.m. on the 13100th block of North Interstate Highway 35 Service Road. The specifics of what led to the crash are unclear, but first responders said the impact left at least seven people pinned inside their vehicles and that five people died at the scene. Fire crews were called to the scene and conducted a necessary extrication process.

Vehicle Rescue at 13100 N Ih 35 Sb. #ATCEMS & @AustinFireInfo are on scene of a collision involving multiple vehicles and a semi-truck, with at least 7 patients involved, several who are pinned in their vehicles. Expect #ATXTraffic delays in the area, more information to follow. pic.twitter.com/iw2TENk4pV

— ATCEMS (@ATCEMS) March 14, 2025

Once the extrication was complete, one ATCEMS ambulance took two adults to St. David’s Round Rock and six other adults to Dell Seton Medical Center. Four adults sent to Seton are recovering from minor injuries, and two with life-threatening injuries. The patients at St. David’s are recovering from injuries deemed potentially life-threatening.

The three children were taken to Dell Children’s Medical Center. One is being treated for potentially serious injuries, and two others for minor injuries.

Officials said an additional adult was hurt but did not want to be taken to the hospital.

If you were injured in a DUI crash and died as a result of one, compassionate and premier legal guidance and representation are waiting for you at TK Injury Lawyers. Our team of Austin car accident lawyers would be honored to help you hold the DUI driver accountable for their poor decisions and achieve a settlement or verdict that can help with medical and funeral expenses and with your overall recovery. Learn more about the legal process over a free consultation that can be booked online or by phone at (512) 582-2398.