Fatality at East 4th Street and N IH 35 SVRD NB Intersection in Austin

On Wednesday, September 6, 2023, at approximately 6:22 a.m., Austin Police Department (APD) officers responded to a single-vehicle crash at the intersection of East 4th Street and N IH 35 SVRD NB. The driver of the involved pick-up truck, identified as 24-year-old Merced Junior Elizalde Cortez, was transported to a local hospital for treatment. Cortez succumbed to his injuries on September 8.

This incident marks Austin’s 65th fatal crash of the year 2023, leading to a total of 68 fatalities in the city. Comparatively, on the same date in 2022, there were 71 fatal crashes resulting in 73 deaths.

Please note that the information provided is based on the initial assessment of the fatal crash, and the investigation remains ongoing. Fatality details may be subject to change as the investigation progresses.

Anyone with any information should contact APD’s Vehicular Homicide unit at 512-974-8111. You may submit your tip anonymously through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program by visiting austincrimestoppers.org or calling 512-472-8477.