Fatal crash with train closes East Austin roads after police chase.

A police pursuit led to a tragic collision with a train, resulting in a road closure that has disrupted the morning commute in East Austin on Friday. According to reports, the fatal accident took place at approximately 2:40 a.m. on E. 7th Street between Webberville and Pedernales.

The incident began when the Austin Police Department detected suspicious behavior on cameras in the vicinity of Neches and 7th St. Police observed an individual touching car door handles and eventually entering one of the cars. Once the authorities intervened and ordered the trespasser to leave the vehicle, they noticed signs of intoxication.

Despite the officers’ efforts to prevent him from fleeing, the suspect started the car and led them on a high-speed chase. He ignored warnings and drove through traffic barricades, ploughing over curbs as he headed eastbound on 7th Street. The chase eventually ended with a fatal crash, resulting in a train collision near 7th and Northwestern Ave.

Austin-Travis County EMS arrived on the scene and rescued the driver from the wreck, but his injuries proved critical, and he passed away after being taken to Dell Seton. Authorities reported that the victim was pinned inside the vehicle and had to be extricated from the accident site.

Streets surrounding the area of the crash, including 6th Street and 7th Street up to Webberville, will remain closed throughout rush hour, causing significant delays for commuters in the area. CapMetro has also noted that MetroRail services will be affected, and they will help commuters between their Martin Luther King Jr. and Downtown stations.

While the accident occurred on the railroad tracks, CapMetro stated that the train was not affiliated with the transit company. This developing story will provide live updates throughout the morning commute on Good Day Austin.