Pedestrian Killed By 18-Wheeler Along Interstate 35 In Austin

AUSTIN, TX — Police on Tuesday identified the pedestrian who was killed after being struck by an 18-wheeler while talking to an officer along Interstate 35 last month.

The incident occurred on Oct. 21 just after 3 a.m. along the 7400 block of North Interstate 35, according to a police advisory. According to a police advisory, a 2009 semi was traveling northbound in one of the inside lanes of the highway before moving over for an Austin Police Department vehicle with emergency lights engaged on the side of the road. An officer had parked his vehicle in approaching a pedestrian who had been observed walking against the inside concrete barrier, police explained in their advisory.

Suddenly, the pedestrian sprinted eastbound into the path of the incoming 18-wheeler, police said. The pedestrian, 33-year-old Armando De La Cruz, was pronounced dead at the scene, police wrote in their advisory. The driver remained at the scene to cooperate with a police investigation, police said, and it does not appear that motorist impairment or lighting were factors in the crash.

As detectives continue to investigate, they urge anyone familiar with the case to contact them at (512) 974-6935. Tips also can be submitted by downloading the police department's mobile app, Austin PD, for free on iPhone and Android.

The incicent marked Austin’s 71st fatal traffic crash of 2020, police said, resulting in 76 fatalities this year. At this time in 2019, police added, there were 67 traffic fatalities.