Austin Teen Dies In Fiery Car Crash

AUSTIN, TX — The motorist who died after a fiery single-vehicle crash last week was identified by police on Monday.

The incident dates to last Tuesday just before midnight along the 10500 block of North Interstate 35 northbound. A police investigation found a green, 2005 Honda Accord left the east side of the roadway before plowing through a grassy median and striking a cement base that held a highway sign, officials said in an advisory.

Police said the first officer arriving at the scene attempted to make contact with the unresponsive driver before the car erupted in flames. After the driver’s side door failed to open, police said the officer smashed the rear driver’s side window in an attempt to extricate the driver through the back seat as the fire spread to the passenger’s side.

Austin Fire Department crews later arrived to fight the fire while prying the passenger’s side door open in removing the driver from the burning car, police said. The motorist was carried way from the vehicle to allow fire personnel and Austin-Travis County EMS medics to implement , life-saving measures, police added, but the driver was pronounced dead at the scene just before 12:35 a.m. the following Wednesday.

The driver was identified as 17-year-old Alejandro Huerta Hernandez.

As police continue their investigation, they ask those with information regarding this case to call detectives at (512) 974-6935. Tips also can be submitted by downloading APD’s mobile app, Austin PD, for free on iPhone and Android.

The incident marked Austin’s 48th fatal traffic crash of 2020, police said, resulting in 53 fatalities this year. At this time in 2019, police added, there were 46 traffic fatalities.