Marble Falls man dies trying to cross Interstate 35 in Austin
AUSTIN — A 28-year-old Marble Falls man died June 20 after an 18-wheeler struck him as he attempted to cross Interstate 35 about 1:40 a.m.
The Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the victim as Christopher Eugene Menard. Friends and family said he was from Marble Falls.
According to police, the accident occurred in the 5000 block of I-35 North.
An Austin Police Department preliminary investigation indicated the 18-wheeler was southbound on I-35 when a pedestrian tried to cross the road from east to west. The driver of the truck was unable to avoid hitting the man, police said.
The 18-wheeler flipped on its side, officers said.
Menard died at the scene, according to investigators.
The driver of the truck was rushed to University Medical Center at Brackenridge with non-life threatening injuries, according to police.
Austin media reported the highway was shut down for seven hours as officials worked to remove the 18-wheeler.
The accident remains under investigation.