AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department has identified the person who died in a crash that closed the southbound lanes of the Mopac Expressway for several hours Tuesday.
Police believe it was a rear-end collision between two vehicles traveling south on MoPac near the U.S. Highway 183 and Anderson Lane exit.
APD said one of the drivers involved in the crash, 19-year-old Jonhatan Rodriguez, was pronounced dead at the scene at 9:27 a.m. The other driver remained at the scene and cooperated with police.
“Investigators believe the fatal injuries were consistent with trauma sustained during the collision,” APD said in a news release.
The accident happened just after 9am on Tuesday. The highway reopened around 12:30 p.m. while detectives investigated the circumstances surrounding the crash.
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APD said the crash is believed to be Austin’s 88th fatal crash this year, killing 92 people. As of the date of the accident in 2024, 87 fatal accidents had occurred, resulting in 90 deaths. Police said the investigation is ongoing.
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Austin police investigate a death that occurred on MoPac Highway on December 16, 2025. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)
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Provided by Central Texas Regional Transportation Authority
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Austin police investigate a death that occurred on MoPac Highway on December 16, 2025. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)
Anyone with any information is asked to call the APD Vehicular Homicide Division at 512-974-8111 or send an anonymous tip through the Capital Region Crime Stoppers website or by calling 512-472-8477.
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