17-Vehicle Crash in Austin Kills 5, Including Infant and Child

A massive collision in Austin, Texas resulted in the tragic deaths of five individuals, including a child and an infant. The incident involved 17 vehicles, one of which was a semi-truck. The crash occurred on Thursday night along I-35 in the North Austin area.

Tragic Collision Claims Lives in Austin, Texas

The crash led to a chaotic scene, with several victims being "pinned in their vehicles," as reported by Austin-Travis County EMS. Emergency responders arrived promptly, but unfortunately, five individuals, identified as three adults, one child, and one infant, were pronounced dead at the scene.

Among the 12 individuals injured in the accident, three were children, according to officials. The southbound portion of I-35 where the crash occurred was swiftly closed to traffic early Friday morning.

Challenges in Traffic Management

The Austin Police Department notified the public via social media, urging people to avoid the area, expect delays, and seek alternate routes due to the closure of all lanes on N IH 35 SB. The response from law enforcement was crucial in managing the aftermath of the devastating collision.

Austin-Travis County EMS Captain Christa Stedman described the incident as "incredibly chaotic" and stated that it spanned over about a 10th of a mile. She emphasized the importance of collaboration among various partners in managing the scene effectively.