AUSTIN (KXAN) — A witness is sharing video of the scene shortly after a crash on Interstate 35 that killed five people in Austin last week.
Kendrick says he was driving southbound on I-35 when he heard loud booms and then saw a truck plowing through cars.
“This is insane. I don’t know if I can un-see those people,” Kendrick said as he filmed the scene.
His video shows mangled cars and debris scattered all across the interstate.
“Oh my God, that is my car. Thank you Lord for protecting me,” he says as he walks down the road.
His video shows him checking on people involved in the accident and helping to put out flames with a fire extinguisher.
“My main focus was to go check on the people,” Kendrick said. He said he passed by the driver of the 18 wheeler, who police said caused the accident, but did not realize it at first.
“I went to the 18 wheeler and I actually walked by the driver, and in the video you can see it, but I didn’t know he was the driver because he was asking someone else what happened.”
Police said they believe the driver, 37-year-old Solomun Weldekeal-Araya “was under the influence of Central Nervous System (CNS) depressants and was unable to operate a motor vehicle safely.”
Kendrick then walks to the 18 wheeler, and shortly after, the Weldekeal-Araya walks up and Kendrick starts talking to him about the accident.
“You know there [are] two people dead over there and possibly more?” Kendrick said as he talked to Weldekeal-Araya. Soon after, emergency crews arrive on the scene and then an officer can be seen talking to Weldekeal-Araya.
“I do want to send my condolences to all the families that lost family and I am sending prayers to those who got injured,” said Kendrick. He has posted more about the accident on his Instagram and TikTok pages.
