Police ID Pedestrian Killed In North Austin

AUSTIN, TX — Police on Friday identified the female pedestrian killed in a traffic accident that occurred on Interstate 35 in North Austin earlier this week.

The incident dates to Monday at around 11:50 p.m. along the 3900 block of North Interstate 35. A preliminary police investigation shows an Austex flatbed truck struck the pedestrian who was walking westbound across the highway. The driver of the truck told police of seeing another vehicle slowing down on the road, but didn't know why. The truck driver then struck the pedestrian after moving to the left lane to avoid the slowed vehicle, police said.

The pedestrian, identified as Roberta Gail Ruggles, 33, was pronounced dead at the scene. Police did not indicate in their advisory whether the driver faced any charges.

The incident marked Austin’s 36th fatal traffic crash of 2020, resulting in 38 fatalities this year. At this time in 2019, police added, there were 34 traffic fatalities.