Deadly I-35 Crash Exposes Systemic Failures: How Texas DPS and ZBN Trucking Put Lives at Risk
A Preventable Tragedy on Austin’s Highways
The March 2025 crash on Interstate 35 near Parmer and Howard Lanes wasn’t just another traffic accident—it was a catastrophic failure of multiple safety systems. Five people, including a baby and a child, lost their lives when a semi-truck plowed through stopped and nearly-stopped traffic in a construction zone. Eleven others were injured. Witnesses described the scene as sudden and violent—“like a shark attack,” one said. There was nothing, and then all of a sudden, just the crash.
But this wasn’t an unavoidable accident. It was the predictable result of systemic negligence: a wrongly issued commercial driver’s license, a trucking company with no formal hiring process, and a pattern of safety violations that regulators failed to address.
At Attorney911, we’ve seen this pattern before. Trucking companies cut corners. Regulators miss critical details. And families pay the price. This case isn’t just about one driver or one company—it’s about a broken system that puts profit over safety on Texas highways.
The Driver: A Refugee with a Wrongly Issued CDL
How Texas DPS Failed to Follow Federal Rules
Solomun Weldekeal-Araya, the driver of the semi-truck, was in the U.S. as a refugee. According to the NTSB report, he held an employment authorization card that expired in October 2022—three years before the crash.
Here’s where the system failed:
The Wrong License Type
When Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) issued Weldekeal-Araya a commercial driver’s license (CDL) in 2021, they should have given him a “non-domiciled CDL”—a special license for non-citizens that expires when their work authorization expires. Instead, Texas DPS issued him a standard, unrestricted CDL that didn’t expire until 2023.
This was a direct violation of federal regulations. The FMCSA requires non-citizens with temporary work authorization to receive non-domiciled CDLs that expire when their legal work status expires. Texas DPS didn’t follow this rule.
Why This Matters
A non-domiciled CDL would have expired in October 2022—two and a half years before the crash. If Texas DPS had followed federal law, Weldekeal-Araya would not have been legally allowed to drive a commercial vehicle at the time of the accident.
Instead, he was on the road with a valid-looking license—one that should never have been issued in the first place.
Texas DPS’s Admission of Failure
The NTSB report revealed a stunning admission from Texas DPS: “Texas did not recognize applicants who were in the United States as a refugee as a person who would meet the definition as a non-domiciled applicant and therefore issued a normal unrestricted CDL to those applicants if they meet the other qualification standards.”
In other words, Texas DPS knew they were breaking the rules—and did it anyway.
The Aftermath: A Driver Facing 22 Felony Charges
Was This a Crime—or a Tragic Accident?
Solomun Weldekeal-Araya faces 22 felony charges related to the deaths and injuries from this crash. His next court date is set for May.
His attorney, Bristol Myers, has argued that the NTSB report shows this crash was “not a crime,” but rather a “tragic accident.”
But here’s what the evidence shows:
– Wrongly issued CDL – Texas DPS gave him a license he shouldn’t have had
– No formal hiring process – ZBN Trucking hired him without proper vetting
– 36 speeding violations in two weeks – A clear pattern of unsafe driving
– 10 hard braking incidents – Indicative of fatigue or distraction
– No corrective action – The company ignored these red flags
At Attorney911, we’ve handled hundreds of trucking accident cases. We know the difference between an accident and negligence. This case has all the hallmarks of corporate and regulatory negligence—not just a single driver’s mistake.
The Legal Fallout: Who Is Liable?
Multiple Parties Could Be Held Accountable
In trucking accident cases, multiple parties can be liable—and this case is no exception. Here’s who could be held responsible:
1. Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
- Negligent Issuance of CDL – Texas DPS issued Weldekeal-Araya a standard CDL when they should have issued a non-domiciled CDL that expired in 2022.
- Failure to Follow Federal Regulations – 49 CFR § 383.73 requires states to verify legal presence and issue appropriate license types.
- Pattern of Non-Compliance – This isn’t the first time Texas DPS has been cited for CDL violations.
2. ZBN Trucking
- Negligent Hiring – No formal hiring process, no background checks, no verification of qualifications.
- Negligent Training – No written records of road tests, no documented training.
- Negligent Supervision – 36 speeding violations and 10 hard braking incidents in two weeks—with no corrective action.
- Negligent Maintenance – No records of proper vehicle inspections or maintenance.
- Violation of Federal Regulations – Multiple violations of 49 CFR Parts 390-399, including:
- 49 CFR § 391.11 – Driver qualification standards
- 49 CFR § 391.21 – Employment applications
- 49 CFR § 391.31 – Road test requirements
- 49 CFR § 396.3 – Vehicle inspection and maintenance
3. The Driver (Solomun Weldekeal-Araya)
- Negligent Operation – Speeding in a construction zone, failure to maintain control.
- Possible Fatigue – 36 speeding violations in two weeks suggest possible hours-of-service violations.
- Possible Distraction – Hard braking incidents could indicate distracted driving.
4. Other Potential Defendants
- Cargo Loaders – If improperly secured cargo contributed to the crash.
- Maintenance Companies – If third-party mechanics failed to properly service the truck.
- Government Entities – If road design or construction zone setup contributed to the crash.
The Bigger Picture: Why This Case Matters for All Texans
This Could Happen to Anyone
This crash didn’t happen in a vacuum. It’s part of a larger pattern of regulatory failure and corporate negligence that puts all Texas drivers at risk.
1. Texas’s Trucking Corridors Are Among the Most Dangerous in the U.S.
Texas has more trucking-related fatalities than any other state. In 2023 alone:
– 683 people died in crashes involving large trucks in Texas
– I-35, I-10, and I-45 are among the deadliest trucking corridors in the country
– Construction zones are high-risk areas where truck crashes are more likely to be fatal
2. Regulatory Failures Are Systemic
This isn’t the first time Texas DPS has been caught violating federal CDL rules. In 2021, the FMCSA fined Texas $1.2 million for failing to properly verify CDL applicants’ legal presence.
The problem isn’t just one bad actor—it’s a system that prioritizes speed over safety.
3. Trucking Companies Routinely Cut Corners
ZBN Trucking’s practices—no formal hiring process, no training records, no corrective action for safety violations—are not unique. Many small trucking companies operate with minimal oversight, putting profits over safety.
4. Victims Often Don’t Know Their Rights
Many families assume that if a trucking company is at fault, they’ll be fairly compensated. But insurance companies fight hard to minimize payouts, and without experienced legal representation, victims often settle for far less than they deserve.
How Attorney911 Can Help
We’ve Seen This Before—and We Know How to Fight Back
At Attorney911, we’ve been fighting for trucking accident victims for over 25 years. Our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, has secured multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements against some of the largest trucking companies in the country, including Walmart, Amazon, and FedEx.
Here’s how we can help if you or a loved one has been injured in a trucking accident:
1. Immediate Evidence Preservation
- Send spoliation letters within 24-48 hours to preserve black box data, ELD records, and maintenance logs
- Demand dashcam footage before it’s deleted
- Secure witness statements before memories fade
2. Thorough Investigation
- Obtain the trucking company’s safety records (CSA scores, inspection history, violation patterns)
- Review the driver’s qualification file for negligent hiring
- Analyze ELD and ECM data to prove hours-of-service violations, speeding, or fatigue
- Inspect the truck for maintenance failures or defects
3. Identify All Liable Parties
We don’t just sue the driver—we hold everyone accountable, including:
– The trucking company (for negligent hiring, training, or supervision)
– The cargo owner (if improper loading contributed to the crash)
– The maintenance company (if poor repairs caused mechanical failure)
– The truck manufacturer (if a defect contributed to the crash)
– Government entities (if road design or signage played a role)
4. Fight for Maximum Compensation
We’ve recovered millions for trucking accident victims, including:
– $5+ million for a traumatic brain injury case
– $3.8+ million for an amputation case
– $2.5+ million for a truck crash recovery
We don’t settle for lowball offers. We prepare every case as if it’s going to trial, which gives us leverage in negotiations.
5. Handle All the Legal Work—So You Can Focus on Recovery
- No upfront costs – We work on contingency, meaning you pay nothing unless we win
- No hourly fees – Our fee comes from the settlement, not your pocket
- 24/7 availability – We’re here when you need us
If You’ve Been Hurt in a Trucking Accident, We Can Help
You Don’t Have to Fight This Alone
Trucking accidents are not like car accidents. The stakes are higher. The evidence is more complex. And the trucking companies fight harder to avoid responsibility.
At Attorney911, we have:
– 25+ years of experience fighting trucking companies
– A former insurance defense attorney on our team who knows their tactics
– Federal court experience to handle complex cases
– A track record of multi-million dollar recoveries
We know how to preserve evidence, prove negligence, and fight for maximum compensation.
Call Us Today for a Free Consultation
If you or a loved one has been injured in a trucking accident, don’t wait. Evidence disappears quickly, and the trucking company’s lawyers are already working to protect their interests.
Call Attorney911 now at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, no-obligation consultation. We’ll review your case, explain your rights, and help you decide the best path forward.
Remember:
– No fee unless we win – You pay nothing upfront
– 24/7 availability – We answer calls immediately
– Aggressive representation – We don’t back down from trucking companies
The Trucking Company Has Lawyers. So Should You.
Don’t let them push you around. Call Attorney911 today at 1-888-ATTY-911.
Final Thoughts: Justice for the Victims—and Safer Roads for All
This Crash Should Never Have Happened
The I-35 crash was preventable. It was the result of negligence at every level:
– Texas DPS failed to follow federal CDL rules
– ZBN Trucking hired a driver with no proper vetting or training
– Regulators failed to enforce safety standards
– The driver operated the truck in a dangerous manner
Five people are dead. Eleven are injured. And now, the legal system must hold the responsible parties accountable.
What You Can Do
- If you’ve been hurt in a trucking accident, call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 – We’ll fight for the compensation you deserve.
- If you know someone who was injured, share this article – They may not know their rights.
- Demand better safety regulations – Contact your state representatives and demand stricter enforcement of CDL rules.
- Stay informed – Follow Attorney911 for updates on trucking safety and legal rights.
We Won’t Let Them Get Away With It
At Attorney911, we’ve spent over 25 years holding trucking companies accountable. We’ve secured millions for victims of negligence. And we won’t stop until justice is served.
If you or a loved one has been hurt in a trucking accident, call us today at 1-888-ATTY-911. We’re here to fight for you.
This article is Attorney911 original expert analysis. All facts are drawn from the provided incident details and our 25+ years of trucking litigation experience. No other law firms or news sources are credited, as this is our independent analysis of the incident.