Seeking $100 million in damages, a survivor of March 13 fatal Interstate 35 crash that claimed five lives has filed a civil lawsuit against Amazon, a trucking firm, and the truck driver deemed responsible by police.
Nathan Jonard suffered extensive injuries, including multiple broken ribs and other bones, a surgically repaired dissected artery in his neck, a herniated disc, deep lacerations throughout his body, and “particularly gruesome wounds” to his head, legs, and feet.
Jonard is seeking “monetary relief in excess of $100 million,” in part to cover medical bills, lost wages and lost property, as well as compensation for pain, suffering, mental anguish, physical disfigurement and impairment.
Meanwhile, a witness to the accident is sharing new video.
BREAKING:
Austin-Travis County EMS and the Austin Fire Department responded to a collision involving a single vehicle crashing into a pole around 7 p.m. Thursday at the 1200 block of Gibson St. One person was extricated after being pinned in their vehicle.
New information has been released regarding a fatal accident Sunday evening.
Central Texas will see an increased risk of wildfires today.
Southeast Texas residents who evacuated recently due to a wildfire in the Sam Houston National Forest can now return home, according to a local official.
Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough said in a Facebook post early Thursday evening that the change applies to residents in both Montgomery and San Jacinto counties. The Pauline Road fire was 45% contained Thursday evening, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.
A busy day Thursday for Austin firefighters.
A shooting in northeast Austin early this morning is being investigated.
How many arrests have Austin police made since reopening 6th Street on weekends?
Texas Senator John Cornyn was in Austin yesterday advocating for an extension of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), as its expiration date approaches at the end of the year.
While Cornyn was at the roundtable event, National Nurses United Union members made their way to his office to express their concerns about possible Medicaid cuts. (Fox7 Austin)
Texas State welcomed Congressman Greg Casar and State Representative Erin Zwiener on Thursday for a town hall.
Texas members of the U.S. House of Representatives have requested a comprehensive report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding their response to the measles outbreak in the state. (Austin American-Statesman)
“The current outbreak has primarily affected school-aged children, highlighting the urgent need to support the state of Texas’ efforts to contain its spread and prevent further loss of life. We are troubled that anti-vaccine misinformation, cuts to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) workforce, and reductions of public health funding will threaten the country’s ability to respond to the current measles outbreak, and future public health threats.” — U.S. Reps. Lloyd Doggett; D-Austin, Marc Veasey, D-Fort Worth, and Lizzie Fletcher, D-Houston
As of Tuesday, the Texas Department of State Health Services has counted 286 cases of the highly contagious disease this year. Most of those cases, 279, are in West Texas, centered around Gaines County. Only one case has been in Travis County.
One child from Texas has died in the outbreak, and 36 people have been hospitalized.
State health officials are expected to release new numbers later today.
Public health experts are warning Texas is poised to make measles a nationwide epidemic. (Texas Tribune)
A homeless encampment in southeast Austin is being cleaned up after months of complaints about drugs, open fires and trash. The camp is located on Bluff Springs Road near William Cannon Drive. (KXAN-TV)
Flight delays at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport last year lasted for more than an hour, on average.
Which airlines had the most delays at ABIA? (Austin Business Journal)
City officials have paused three significant public art contracts intended for the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport expansion, in a move that may signal a reconsideration of how prominently the city should promote local artists in major public spaces. (Austin Monitor)
WEATHER
5-DAY FORECAST / AUSTIN, TEXAS
Current drought conditions…
Republican lawmakers are reviving an effort to give the attorney general more power to prosecute election crimes. Critics of the move fear it could intimidate voters and local election officials. (Texas Tribune)
An internal investigation, prompted by a federal lawsuit, revealed that employees at least one Texas prison falsified temperature logs used to determine hazardous conditions for inmates and staff. (Texas Public Radio)
Texas leaders are showing support for President Trump’s plan to dismantle the Department of Education.
The Texas Legislature is moving forward with a bill to improve emergency response to active shooter events.
Authorities in Galveston County raided two illegal massage parlors suspected of involvement in human trafficking. (My Texas Daily)
A U.S. Navy destroyer armed with tomahawk missiles enroute to the gulf waters off the coast of Texas. What’s this all about?
A vandalism incident at Texas State is being investigated.
SPORTS
COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Multiple sources are reporting that Texas Longhorns head coach Rodney Terry is expected to be fired after three seasons.
It was a good day yesterday for the Cougars, Aggies and Red Raiders in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.
COLLEGE BASEBALL: After having their 17-game winning streak snapped Tuesday night, the Texas Longhorns return to action tonight at Disch-Falk Field for a weekend conference series against LSU. (Texas Longhorns)
NBA: The Spurs, Rockets and Mavericks return to the court tonight after a night off.
NHL: Gage Goncalves scored Tampa Bay’s third goal in the fourth round of the shootout and the Lightning beat the Dallas Stars 3-2 on Thursday night. (Yahoo! Sports)
Six Flags Fiesta Texas has a new DC Universe section.
Let’s get a look…
