Austin Police ID Woman Killed In Wreck, Arrest Man Accused Of Causing Collision

EAST AUSTIN, TX — Police on Monday identified the name of a woman who died in an Jan. 7 wreck in East Austin as well as the name of the driver accused of having caused the collision.

According to a police investigation, a tan 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe was traveling westbound on the service road without headlights when it ran through a flashing red light, T-boning a silver 2012 Dodge Journey just after 9 p.m. on Jan. 7. The Tahoe then slid into a tan 2002 Toyota Camry. The collision occurred at the East U.S. Highway 290 westbound service road at Giles Road

The driver of the Journey succumbed to her injuries three days later while hospitalized. She was identified as Cristal Ortiz, 20.

Police say the driver of the Tahoe, identified as Edgar Orlando Camateco-Mercado, 22, fled the scene of the wreck on foot. A Travis County Sheriff's Office deputy found him hiding in a nearby dumpster, and he was subsequently charged with intoxication assault and failure to stop and render aid.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call police (512) 974-5594. Tips also can be submitted by downloading APD’s mobile app, Austin PD, for free on iPhone and Android.

This incident marked Austin’s 3rd fatal traffic crash and the 3rd fatality of 2017. At this time in 2016, there was one traffic fatality.

>>> Booking photo of Edgar Orlando Camateco-Mercado courtesy of Austin Police Department