Police ID Driver Killed In 5-Car Wreck In North Austin

AUSTIN, TX — Police identified the driver who was killed after a five-vehicle accident in North Austin on Wednesday.

The incident occurred just before 6:45 a.m. along the 7600 block of FM 620, according to a police advisory. Officers responded to calls alerting to the multi-vehicle collision that began when Jacob Byrd, 26, attempted to make a left turn out of the Tin Tara apartment complex at 7655 FM 620 when he collided with a white, 2014 Jeep Cherokee that was traveling northbound.

The impact of the collision caused Byrd to be ejected from the blue, 2008 Honda Accord he was driving, police wrote. A chain reaction ensued, police added: three other car crashed, including a silver or white SUV that crashed when the driver slammed on her brakes, presumably in an attempt to avoid striking Byrd. As the driver pumped the brakes, her vehicle was hit by a black 2020 Acura Integra which, in turn, was rear-ended by a silver, 2010 Toyota Tacoma.

The driver of the SUV, police said, exited her vehicle to check on the driver of the Integra before fleeing the scene. She is described as a white woman believed to be in her mid-40s with short blond or gray hair and thin build. Police released a photo of the SUV, which sustained damage to the back side:

Austin Police Department.

Byrd was pronounced dead at the scene by 7:10 a.m., police added.

As they continue to investigate, police ask for anyone with information to call detectives at (512) 974-6873. 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 55th fatal traffic crash of 2020, police said, resulting in 60 fatalities this year. At this time in 2019, police added, there were 54 traffic fatalities.