City of Austin
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASERelease Date:
Contact: APD Public Information Office 512-974-5017 Email
Case: 23-0900232
Time: 5:14 a.m.
Date: Friday, March 31, 2023
Location: 2900 North IH 35 Upper Deck South Bound
Deceased: Elias Saenz, White male, 10/01/1965
Arrested: Milton Castanon Villatoro, White male, 24-years-old
On Friday, March 31, 2023, at approximately 5:14 a.m., Austin Police Department (APD) officers responded to a crash between a two-door car and an SUV in the 2900 block of IH 35 North Upper Deck South Bound. A preliminary investigation shows that the car's driver, Milton Castanon Villatoro, crashed into the SUV, leaving the scene without rendering aid or calling 911. The SUV driver, Elias Saenz, was taken to a hospital and later died. Castanon was located and arrested for Intoxication Assault and Fail to Stop and Render Aid.
This incident is being investigated as Austin's 26th fatal crash of 2023, resulting in 26 fatalities for the year. On the date of this crash in 2022, 23 fatal crashes resulted in 24 deaths.
These statements are from the initial assessment of the fatal crash, and the investigation is still pending. Fatality information may change.
Anyone with any information should contact APD's Vehicular Homicide unit at 512-974-8111. You may submit your tip anonymously through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program by visiting austincrimestoppers.org or calling 512-472-8477.