News: Man faces reduced bond after fatal 17-vehicle crash in NW Austin

NORTHWEST AUSTIN, TX – A 35-year-old man who was said to have been responsible for a deadly 17-vehicle crash on March 13, 2025, will now face a reduced bond. 

Solomun Weldekeal Araya’s bond was initially set to $1.2 million but was reduced by a judge to $7,000 on Tuesday, according to new details from KVUE. 

Weldekeal Araya was booked into the Travis County jail, where he remains, and was initially charged with “five counts of intoxication manslaughter and two counts of intoxication assault.” 

Police officers thought Weldekeal Araya was intoxicated as he showed common signs of impairment, such as bloodshot and watery eyes. He also failed a field sobriety test. However, more recent blood alcohol tests confirmed that he had no drugs or alcohol in his system, leading to the reduced bond. Per the new bond agreement, Weldekeal Araya will commit to doing the following: 

• Wearing a GPS electronic monitoring unit for 90 days 
• Surrendering any documentation that would allow him to leave the country 
• Agreement to not operate any commercial vehicle 
• Agreeing to submit to random urine analysis for drug screening
• Agreeing to supervision from Pretrial Services

To recap, 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 killed five people — three adults, a baby, and a child. 

If you were injured or lost a loved one as a result of a motor vehicle crash and the insurance company is refusing to pay you what you deserve, reach out to TK Injury Lawyers. Within minutes of your free consultation, our Austin car accident lawyer will tell you exactly how he would fight for your right to justice and the steps needed to recover your deserved compensation. Contact our office online or by phone at (512) 582-2398 for a free, no-risk consultation.