AUSTIN, Texas — A devastating crash on Interstate 35 has led to a massive lawsuit against Amazon Logistics, ZBN Transport and a truck driver, accusing them of negligence that resulted in multiple deaths and injuries.
One of the survivors of the crash, Nathan Jonard, filed the lawsuit accusing Solomun Weldekeal Araya of barrelling down I-35 with “absolute disregard for human life.”
According to the lawsuit, Jonard was driving on I-35 when Araya allegedly slammed into stopped traffic, hitting 17 vehicles. Five people were killed in the crash and 11 others were left injured. Araya was accused of being on central nervous system (CNS) depressants when the crash happened.
Jonard claims the crash left him unconscious and mangled his vehicle. The aftermath left him with spinal injuries, broken bones and severe cuts covering his body that left his life permanently altered. Now Jonard is seeking $100 million in damages for medical expenses, lost wages and emotional suffering.
The lawsuit also argues that Amazon and ZBN Transport are responsible for hiring Araya, accusing him of having a history of reckless driving and safety violations. It comes as Texas lawmakers prioritize new bills that could make it harder for people to sue trucking companies and how damages are handled in civil lawsuits.
Other victims of the crash
The Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office recently revealed the identities of the three adults who were killed on I-35: 32-year-old Sergieo Daniel Lopez, 25-year-old Natalia Helena Perez and 78-year-old Ma Concepcion Joaquin De Joaquin. However, the child and baby killed have yet to be identified.
Meanwhile, 29-year-old Francisco Villalobos and 25-year-old Priscilla Davila remain in recovery after suffering severe injuries in the crash.
According to their attorney, Davila spent her 25th birthday in intensive care after suffering a brain bleed, and fractures in her sternum, ribs and vertebrae. Villalobos also suffered a brain bleed, a fractured vertebrae and damage to his liver and spleen. Their attorney claims Villalobos has no memory of the crash.