APD urging drivers to pay attention following fatal crashes
AUSTIN, Texas - Pay attention to the road, one mistake could cost someone their life.
This is the message the Austin Police Department is trying to get across after two separate fatal crashes Thursday morning. 2 deaths, 2 separate crashes, both of which the Austin Police Department said could have been avoided.
“One simple mistake can cost someone their life,” said Officer Destiny Silva with APD.
Early Thursday morning, parts of 290, east of Dripping Springs, were completely shut down for hours as APD investigated a 3-vehicle crash which left 1 person dead. “We want to remind the community to pay attention to the road way,” said Officer Silva.
Officer Silva said the driver of an SUV was turning left onto 290, a move which should not have been done. “The driver of the vehicle disregarded a posted sign that said 'Right turn only' and made a left hand turn crossing lanes of traffic on a busy highway and pulled out in front of a silver car,” said Silva.
The driver of the silver car tried to swerve out of the way but still ended up hitting the SUV.
“Due to the force of the first crash the car continued to travel onto the east bound lane where it was struck a second time by a truck,” said officer Silva. The driver of the car was pronounced dead at the scene. “The driver of the SUV who remained on scene was issued a citation for disregard posted sign which is a class c misdemeanor,” said Silva.
A couple hours later on the other side of the city, another fatal crash.
“Officers arrived on scene and located a 2 vehicle crash between a sedan and a truck,” said Silva. Officer Silva said the driver of a sedan, with a green light, was turning onto fm 973 from Pierce Lane.
During this time, a truck traveling north on 973 ran a red light and hit the sedan. “Driver of the sedan was taken to the hospital where they were pronounced dead,” said Silva.
The driver of the truck was issued a citation for running the red light.
APD urges people to pay attention when on the road. “These horrible outcomes can occur if you run a red light, if you disregard a posted sign, if you don't pay attention to the road, if you're not paying attention to pedestrians walking by,” said Silva.
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