AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The truck driver arrested in connection with the deadly 18-vehicle March pileup on Interstate 35 in north Austin did not have drugs or alcohol in his system at the time of the crash, his attorney Bristol Myers told KXAN on Friday.
Solomun Weldekeal Araya, 37, was charged with intoxication manslaughter and assault charges following the crash that killed five people and injured 11 others March 13 near Parmer and Howard Lane.
Myers told KXAN the results came from a toxicology report. Myers said he is filing a motion to get Araya's bond reduced to $1, and there may be a hearing next week.
In a statement to KXAN Friday, the Austin Police Department confirmed it is "aware of the preliminary toxicology reports" for Araya and provided the following statement:
"The Austin Police Department (APD) is aware of the preliminary toxicology reports for Solomun Weldekeal-Araya. At this time, the APD Vehicular Homicide Unit is working with the Travis County District Attorney’s Office to determine specific charges. The original charges were based on Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs) and drug recognition examinations conducted by APD officers during the initial investigation. The investigation is still ongoing."
The crash involved 18 vehicles, including one box truck, two truck tractors, two semi-trailers and 13 passengers cars, according to court records. The crash happened in a construction zone where traffic merged from three lanes to one.
Days after Araya was arrested, an arrest warrant affidavit said police believed he was on depressants at the time of the crash.
“My investigation is just beginning, and I cannot assume that the police or NTSB have been thorough or accurate in theirs,” Myers previously told KXAN in connection with the case.
‘It was hard to see this’: Bystanders help after fatal 17-vehicle crashMultiple lawsuits have been filed by crash victims, targeting the truck driver, trucking carrier ZBN Transport LLC, construction company Pulice Construction, Inc. and Amazon, court documents state.
Amazon said Araya was hauling an Amazon load, but was not an Amazon employee.
“This is a horrible tragedy, and our thoughts are with all those involved. We’re cooperating with all investigations,” Amazon said in response to the lawsuits. It did not comment further citing the ongoing investigation.
Sally Hernandez, Brianna Hollis, Julianna Russ and Andrew Schnitker contributed to this report
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