Identification of teenage driver involved in fatal MoPac collision

The Austin Police Department has identified the individual who tragically passed away in a collision that caused the closure of the southbound lanes of MoPac Expressway for multiple hours on Tuesday. Authorities believe the incident, which occurred near U.S. Highway 183 and the Anderson Lane exit, involved a rear-end collision between two vehicles traveling southbound on MoPac. The victim, 19-year-old Jonhatan Rodriguez, was pronounced dead at the scene at 9:27 a.m. The other driver involved in the crash remained at the location and assisted law enforcement with their investigation. According to APD, the circumstances of the collision point to fatal injuries consistent with trauma sustained during the accident. The crash, which took place around 9 a.m. that Tuesday, led to the closure of the highway until approximately 12:30 p.m. while detectives conducted an inquiry into the incident. This tragic event marks the 88th fatal crash in Austin this year, resulting in 92 deaths. Police noted that as of the same date in 2024, there were 87 fatal crashes with 90 deaths. The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with relevant information is urged to contact APD's Vehicular Homicide Unit at 512-974-8111 or submit an anonymous tip through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program website or by calling 512-472-8477.