Driver, Passenger Killed In East Austin Wreck Identified

AUSTIN, TX — Police on Wednesday identified the two men who were killed in East Austin after the car they were traveling in struck a cement pillar early Sunday.

According to a police report, a 2020 Kia Stinger was traveling eastbound in the center lane of traffic along the 9500 block of East U.S. Highway 290 just before 3:10 a.m before the driver lost control. The car left the roadway, first striking a guardrail and then a cement pillar, police said.

Both the driver and passenger were pronounced dead at the scene, police said. The accident victims were identified as 20-year-old Jay Ochoa and 19-year-old Juan Sanchez.

Police urged anyone with information regarding this case to contact detectives at (512) 974-6935. Tips also can be submitted by downloading the police department's mobile app, Austin PD, for free on iPhone and Android.

The incident marked Austin’s sixth fatal traffic crash of 2021, police said, resulting in seven fatalities. At the time in 2020, police added, there were 11 traffic fatalities.