Truck driver's lawyer seeks release and lower bond for I-35 fatal accident

An attorney representing the truck driver involved in a fatal 18-vehicle crash on Interstate 35 in north Austin is seeking his client's release from jail. This follows the revelation that toxicology results showed no presence of drugs or alcohol in his system. The driver, Solomun Weldekeal Araya, faces charges of intoxication manslaughter and assault following the tragic incident on March 13. The attorney has also requested a reduction in Araya's bond to $1 for each charge, citing a lack of probable cause as per court documents. Despite thorough field sobriety tests indicating possible intoxication at the time of the crash, Araya's lawyer asserts that the subsequent toxicology report showing no substances in his blood should be considered definitive. An independent criminal defense attorney, Gene Anthes, remarked that the absence of detectable substances in Araya's system was unexpected given the initial suspicion of intoxication based on the field tests. Anthes opined that certain behaviors exhibited by Araya post-accident might have been misinterpreted as signs of intoxication, possibly due to shock from the traumatic event. He also noted that while the initial findings led to Araya's arrest, further evidence from witness videos appeared to contradict the assumption of intoxication. The story is being monitored and updated by reporter Jala Washington.