AUSTIN, Texas — On Wednesday, people gathered to celebrate the life of a man who was killed in a suspected road rage incident on Interstate 35 near Braker Lane.
Edward Espino was shot and killed on March 16, one month before his 48th birthday. According to the Austin Police Department (APD), shortly after 3:30 a.m. on March 16, multiple 911 calls came in about a stalled Mitsubishi Mirage in the far left lane of the 11600 block of N. I-35 northbound, near Braker Lane. The call was later upgraded to a “crash hot shot” after the stalled Mitsubishi was hit by a Ford Bronco.
APD said the driver of the Mitsubishi was later identified as Espino. When Austin-Travis County EMS medics and Austin Fire Department crews pulled Espino from his vehicle and attempted first aid, they discovered he had a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the Bronco was interviewed and was cooperative with the investigation, according to police. They are not believed to be connected with the homicide.
Espino had moved to Austin just a year prior to his death.
At Wednesday’s ceremony, friends and family gathered to share their memories of Espino.
“He loved the city, he loved thee people in it,” Steven Slyter, Espino’s friend and roommate, said. “He was a military guy. His story is just incredible and I feel honored to have known him.”
The investigation into Espino’s death is ongoing. APD is investigating it as the city’s ninth homicide of 2025.