Suspicious Package Cleared After Grass Fire Along I-35 in Austin
UPDATE: Austin police say the driver of a vehicle involved in the crash claimed to have a bomb, which prompted the shutdown. Police later determined that the package was safe, along with a bottle of clear liquid found inside the man's vehicle.
The man has been charged with driving while intoxicated.
An Austin PD bomb squad has cleared a package that was found at the scene of a traffic collision that sparked a grass fire along I-35 Thursday morning.
KVUE reports that the collision occurred near William Cannon Drive in the 7500 block of Southbound I-35 shortly after 10 AM. One person was reportedly injured in the crash.
Both north and southbound lanes were closed for hours after police discovered a package at the scene and called a bomb squad out of an abundance of caution.
KEYE reports that the crash also caused a grass fire, which was an additional factor in the police decision to close the highway. Tolls were temporarily waived for drivers being diverted away from the scene.
Austin police have taken extra safety measures concerning suspicious packages in the four months since Austin-area bombing suspect Mark Anthony Conditt was killed by one of his own explosive devices after fleeing from authorities.