AUSTIN, Texas — Editorial note: The above video is from a related report on Austin's efforts to end traffic-related deaths.
A man has been arrested after a deadly three-car crash that caused major traffic delays near Austin’s airport earlier this month.
On Thursday, Oct. 5, at around 4:45 a.m., emergency crews responded to the crash in the 1500 block of State Highway 71 westbound.
The Austin Police Department said 44-year-old Ruben Ysasi was driving an SUV traveling west on SH 71 when it crossed the eastbound traffic lane and crashed head-on with another SUV driven by 27-year-old Austin Buckley.
A third SUV, also traveling east, crashed into the back of Buckley’s car. Buckley died on the scene.
Ysasi was arrested for intoxication manslaughter and accident involving death.
The incident is being investigated as Austin’s 70th fatal crash of 2023, resulting in 73 deaths for the year. On the date of this crash in 2022, 81 fatal crashes had resulted in 83 deaths.
The crash caused long delays for drivers headed to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, as all SH 71 westbound lanes were closed at Spirit of Texas Drive. AUS said the delays impacted travelers that morning. Traffic exiting the airport was backed up to the departure level, causing back-ups for those dropping off travelers flying out of AUS.
Anyone with any information on the crash is asked to contact APD’s Vehicular Homicide Unit at 512-974-8111 or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously at 512-472-8477.