Case:  2023-3510437
 
Time:  7:47 a.m.
 
Date:  Sunday, December 17, 2023
 
Location:  3800 E SH 71 WB (at 130 Toll Road)
 
Deceased:  Joan M Cooper, White female, 12-09-1947
 
 
On Sunday, December 17, 2023, at approximately 7:47 a.m., Austin Police Department (APD) officers responded to a crash between a sedan and a pick-up truck in the 3800 block of E SH 71 WB (at 130 Toll Road). A preliminary investigation revealed that both vehicles were traveling west on SH 71 approaching 130 (Toll Road). The pick-up truck was in the left lane and the sedan in either the center lane or right lane, when for unknown reasons, the sedan turned left in front of the truck.  As a result, the sedan was struck in the driver’s door by the truck. The driver of the sedan was taken to a local hospital, where she later died on January 7, 2024.
 
This incident is being investigated as Austin's 90th fatal crash of 2023, resulting in 94 fatalities for the year. On the date of this crash in 2022, 110 fatal crashes resulted in 115 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.