Police ID Driver Killed In Fiery Late-Night Crash [UPDATED]

SOUTH AUSTIN, TX -- Police have identified the driver killed last week after his vehicle slammed into a pole and burst into flames.

Robert J. Catlin, 39, died at the scene of the fiery Jan. 22 collision on the 6300 block of East William Cannon Drive.

Austin Police Department officials said a preliminary investigation showed he lost control of the white 1996 Toyota Tercel he was driving, although it’s not clear why this occurred.

The car then veered off the roadway, slamming into a utility pole and igniting into flames. Catlin was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police are still investigating the case. Anyone with information related to the incident is asked to call police at (512) 974-5789.

The incident was the fifth road fatality so far this year.

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From Jan. 23:

SOUTH AUSTIN, TX -- A motorist was killed after the vehicle he was driving burst into flames after colliding with a light pole Friday night, emergency officials said.

Austin-Travis County EMS officials said a man in his 40s died at the intersection of East William Cannon Drive and Salt Springs Road around 11:30 p.m.

The driver apparently lost control of his car on William Cannon, causing the vehicle to veer off the median before slamming into the pole, police told KXAN-TV. The car then ignited into flames.

The motorist was dead at the scene.

Speed was a contributing factor in the crash, but it’s uncertain if alcohol was a factor, police said.

There were no other reported injuries.