Austin PD IDs Man Killed In Crash With 18-Wheeler

AUSTIN, TX — Police on Thursday identified the driver who was killed in a collision with an 18-wheeler along Interstate 35 last weekend.

The incident occurred on Saturday just before midnight along the 8400 block of Interstate 35, according to a police advisory. A police investigation showed that a 2004 maroon-colored Mercury Grand Marquis was traveling northbound on the highway when the left front of the vehicle struck the rear of an 18-wheeler. Police said the big rig was traveling in the same direction along the center lane as traffic slowed due to construction.

The driver of the 18-wheeler was traveling slowly, police said, nearly stopping when he felt the impact of the collision. The driver of the Mercury, 26-year-old Paul Joseph Herrera, was pronounced dead at the scene.

As police continue to investigate, they urge anyone with information about the incident to reach out to detectives by calling (512) 974-6935 or by submitting via downoad at the mobile app Austin PD, for free on iPhone and Android.

This is Austin’s 63rd fatal traffic crash of 2020, police said, resulting in 68 fatalities this year. At this time in 2019, police added, there were 63 traffic fatalities.