Tragedy on I-35: Three Killed in Round Rock Crash, Driver Arrested for DWI
ROUND ROCK, Texas — The community of Round Rock is reeling after a devastating overnight crash on northbound Interstate 35 claimed the lives of three individuals and led to the arrest of one person on charges of Driving While Intoxicated (DWI). The deadly incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday, June 29, 2025, and has since prompted an outpouring of grief, renewed calls for road safety, and a police investigation into the tragic sequence of events.
According to the Round Rock Police Department, the crash happened shortly after 1:00 a.m. near the Old Settlers Boulevard exit. Preliminary investigations reveal that the driver of a black pickup truck, later identified as 28-year-old Miguel Angel Rivera, was traveling at a high rate of speed when he slammed into the rear of a sedan carrying four people. The impact was so severe that the sedan was propelled into the concrete median and burst into flames.
Three occupants of the sedan—two women and one man—were pronounced dead at the scene. A fourth passenger, a 22-year-old male, was pulled from the wreckage by bystanders and emergency responders and was transported to a nearby hospital in critical condition. His identity and condition remain undisclosed pending notification of family.
The driver of the pickup truck, Rivera, was reportedly unharmed in the crash. Officers on scene conducted field sobriety tests and determined that he was under the influence of alcohol. Rivera was immediately taken into custody and charged with three counts of intoxication manslaughter and one count of intoxication assault. He is currently being held in the Williamson County Jail without bond.
“This is a heartbreaking, preventable tragedy,” said Round Rock Police Chief Allen Banks during a press briefing Saturday morning. “Three lives have been lost due to one person’s reckless and irresponsible decision to get behind the wheel while intoxicated. Our community is devastated, and we extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims.”
The identities of the deceased victims have not yet been released publicly, pending notification of next of kin. However, sources close to the investigation confirmed that all four victims were residents of Austin and were returning home after a night out celebrating a birthday. Friends and loved ones have expressed shock and sorrow across social media, describing the victims as kind-hearted, ambitious, and full of life.
“They had their whole lives ahead of them,” wrote one friend in a tribute post. “They were doing everything right—using a designated driver, obeying traffic laws—and now they’re gone because someone else didn’t care.”
The crash caused a complete shutdown of northbound I-35 for several hours as law enforcement conducted a crash reconstruction and cleared the scene. Traffic was diverted through surface streets, causing delays into the morning commute. The highway was fully reopened by 7:30 a.m.
This latest incident marks another grim reminder of the deadly consequences of drunk driving in Texas, a state that continues to lead the nation in alcohol-related traffic fatalities. Law enforcement agencies, including the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), have repeatedly warned of the dangers and urged the public to find safer alternatives such as ride-share services, taxis, or designated drivers.
“This tragedy should serve as a wake-up call,” said MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) spokesperson Laura Delgado. “Lives are being destroyed every day because people still think it’s okay to drive drunk. It’s not. It never will be.”
As the investigation moves forward, community members are rallying together in support of the victims’ families. A vigil and memorial will be held on Monday, July 1, at Centennial Plaza in Round Rock, where candles will be lit in honor of those lost and messages of remembrance will be shared.
Authorities are urging anyone who witnessed the crash or has additional dashcam footage to come forward to assist with the ongoing investigation.
As the city of Round Rock grieves this immense loss, the tragedy stands as a sobering reminder of the fragility of life—and the urgent need for responsibility and accountability on the road.