$150 Million in Lawsuits Filed Over Fatal I-35 Crash in Austin That Killed 5 and Injured Dozens

0
8K


Two major lawsuits, including one seeking over $100 million in damages, have been filed in connection to a deadly 18-vehicle crash on Interstate 35 in North Austin that killed five people and left at least a dozen others injured.

One of the lawsuits was filed by Nathan Jonard, a survivor of the March 13 crash, who alleges that driver negligence and corporate irresponsibility led to the massive collision. In a civil suit filed Thursday in Travis County, Jonard claims that Solomun Weldekeal Araya, the driver of a tractor-trailer involved in the crash, failed to brake in time and slammed into vehicles slowed down by construction-related lane closures near Parmer Lane.

 

Jonard is suing Amazon Logistics, ZBN Transport, and Araya for over $100 million, citing severe injuries including multiple broken bones, a dissected neck artery, a herniated disc, and deep lacerations.

In a separate lawsuit, the family of 78-year-old Maria Concepcion Joaquin de Joaquin, one of the victims who died in the crash, filed a $50 million wrongful death suit in Dallas County. According to their attorney, Domingo Garcia, Joaquin was the mother of 11 children and grandmother to 40.

“We cannot allow innocent families to continue being slaughtered on Texas highways because commercial drivers are operating 80,000-pound rigs while impaired, speeding, or well past their legal driving limits,” Garcia said in a statement. “This bloodshed on our highways must end.”

Authorities say Araya, 37, was driving a semi-truck owned or leased by ZBN Transport and/or Amazon Logistics and was hauling a load for Amazon at the time of the crash. He has been charged with five counts of intoxication manslaughter and two counts of intoxication assault. According to court documents, Araya had been employed by ZBN Transport for only four months before the incident.

The crash occurred around 11:20 p.m. when traffic had slowed due to a resurfacing project. Jonard, who was stopped in the congested traffic, said in the suit that he lost consciousness upon impact and awoke in excruciating pain, bleeding from his head and legs.

Amazon spokesperson Maureen Lynch Vogel called the crash “a horrible tragedy” and emphasized that all long-haul drivers for Amazon are independent contractors. ZBN Transport, based in Dallas, did not respond to requests for comment.

Both lawsuits seek accountability from the companies and individuals involved, and they highlight growing concerns over highway safety, especially involving commercial drivers.



Search
Sponsored
Categories
Read More
Video
Watch: Wrong way driver rams CHP cruiser at toll plaza
A motorist captured bizarre video of a crash involving a California Highway Patrol (CHP) cruiser...
By Truck Drivers Life 2021-11-30 19:44:28 0 11K
Trucking News
UPDATE: Grand Jury Issues Six-Count Indictment Against Truck Driver in Deadly I-75 Mother’s Day Pileup After Charges Consolidated Under Tennessee Law
EAST RIDGE, Tennessee — A Hamilton County grand jury has indicted the truck driver accused...
By Truck Drivers Life 2025-12-13 18:54:02 0 2K
Trucking News
Tennessee troopers identify two truckers killed in fiery I-40 construction zone crash
The Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) identified two CMV drivers who lost their lives in a two truck...
By MEGA MISTAKES 2022-05-05 21:06:55 0 12K
Trucking News
WATCH: Four wheeler REALLY doesn’t want to miss that exit
A car driver trying to make their exit by cutting in front of a truck creates a dangerous...
By MEGA MISTAKES 2022-06-26 11:41:13 0 11K
Trucking News
Washington Accused of Ignoring ICE Detainer for Truck Driver With Criminal Record and No CDL Who Caused Multi-Vehicle Pileup
LACEY, WASHINGTON — Federal officials are raising alarms after a truck driver accused of...
By Truck Drivers Life 2025-12-11 21:02:46 0 968
News | Truck Drivers Life | Social Network for Truck Drivers https://www.truckdrivers.life