In a massive turnaround, the bond for Solomun Weldekeal-Araya, a truck driver involved in a tragic crash, has been reduced from $1.2 million to $7,000. The crash occurred on March 13 on Interstate 35 near Austin, Texas, resulting in five fatalities and 11 injuries.
Why it matters: Initially charged with multiple felonies related to driving while intoxicated, Weldekeal-Araya faced a hefty bail due to findings from police sobriety tests. However, a recent toxicology report cleared him of any drug or alcohol presence at the time of the crash.
- These developments prompted his lawyer to push for a bond reduction, leading to the judge approving a decrease to $1,000 per charge.
- Despite the reduction, Weldekeal-Araya must adhere to pretrial conditions, including GPS tracking, installing an ignition interlock device, and avoiding commercial vehicle operation.
What's next: The legal process continues as Weldekeal-Araya still faces serious felony charges connected with the incident, as reported by CBS Austin.
The case highlights the sometimes lengthy and challenging legal journeys drivers endure, even when initial charges are questioned. With the bond lowered, Weldekeal-Araya now has a chance to prepare his defense more effectively while out of custody.