Case:          19-2440191

Date:           Sunday, September 1, 2019

Time:           1:48 a.m.

Location:     10214 N. IH 35 southbound service road

Deceased:    Smelin Roque "Rocky" Velasquez, Hispanic male, D.O.B. 11/19/1964

The preliminary investigation shows that a 1999, blue Pontiac was traveling southbound on the frontage road near the 10200 block of N. IH 35 when it left the roadway for unknown reasons. The vehicle went through a business parking lot and struck a parked vehicle and a pallet of landscaping stones before coming to rest against a business building. The driver was ejected from the vehicle and died at the scene. The front seat passenger was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Anyone with information regarding this case should call APD’s Vehicular Homicide Unit at (512) 974-8544. You can also submit tips by downloading Austin PD’s free mobile app on iPhone and Android. 

This is Austin’s 53^rd fatal traffic crash of 2019, resulting in 55 fatalities this year. At this time in 2018, there were 46 fatal traffic crashes and 47 traffic fatalities.

These statements are from the initial assessment of the fatal crash and investigation is still pending. Fatality information may change.