A defense attorney stated they were working to reduce the truck driver’s bond amount following analysis.
AUSTIN, Texas — No drugs or alcohol were reportedly found in an expanded blood test analysis of the truck driver involved in a deadly crash on I-35, according to the attorney representing the driver.
The attorney representing 37-year-old Solomun Weldekeal Araya, Bristol C. Myers, stated that they were moving toward reducing Araya’s bond following the reported analysis.
Myers confirmed the blood test results to KVUE Senior Reporter Tony Plohetski. Meanwhile, Austin police also confirmed the result and released a statement that read, in part, that they were “aware of the preliminary toxicology reports” and that they were working with the Travis County District Attorney’s Office to “determine specific charges.”
Police added that the original charges were based on Standardized Field Sobriety Tests and drug recognition examinations conducted by its officers.
Araya faces five charges of intoxication manslaughter for each of the people killed in the North Austin crash on March 14. He also faces two charges of intoxication assault.
Court documents stated that Araya failed a field sobriety test and that he showed signs of intoxication consistent with the use of central nervous system (CNS) depressants. According to the documents, Araya had bloodshot and watery eyes, mumbled speech and swayed as he walked.
Araya allegedly told police the crash happened because he was cut off, stating that he had not consumed alcohol before the incident. A preliminary breathalyzer exam showed Araya had a Blood Alcohol Concentration of 0.00, but Araya still showed “all six” signs of intoxication and failed a field sobriety exam, according to police.
After the crash, a bond was set totaling $1.2 million for Araya – $200,000 for each intoxication manslaughter charge and $100,000 for each intoxication assault charge.
In total, 17 people and 17 vehicles were involved in the crash. Three adults, one child and a baby all died at the scene. The devastating crash on I-35 has now led to multiple lawsuits from victims seeking more than $150 million combined.