Austin Police ID Woman Killed In Wrong-Way Crash

AUSTIN, TX -- Police on Thursday identified the driver killed after her vehicle veered into oncoming traffic on FM 1327 earlier this week.

Melissa Briones, 33, was driving east in the 50o block of FM 1327 near the Interstate 35 interchange on Aug. 9 in a blue, 2008 Ford Focus at around 4:30 p.m., police said. Suddenly, the car crossed the double yellow lines and struck the side of a garbage truck heading west before hitting the front of a semi-truck traveling in the same direction.

By the time police arrived at the scene, Briones' car was on fire pinned under the semi-truck, police said in an emailed narrative of events. Briones was then pulled from the wreckage and pronounced dead at the scene.

Police continue to investigate the accident, and are in the process of determining whether alcohol might have been a contributing factor. Those with information are urged to call detectives at (512) 974-5576.

The woman's death represents the city's 40th traffic fatality so far this year. At this same point last year, there had been 63 traffic fatalities in Austin.