Eritrean trucker in 18-vehicle Texas crash that killed 5 sees bond reduced to just $7,000

The truck driver who was arrested for a deadly 18-vehicle crash in Austin, Texas, has gotten his bond reduced from $1.2 million to $7,000 after it was found that a toxicology report did not find drugs or alcohol in the driver's system. Despite the test, officers said that he failed a field sobriety test at the time.

According to CBS Austin, 37-year-old Solomun Weldekeal-Araya, who is from Eritrea, a small country in Africa, was charged with intoxicated manslaughter in the incident that left five people dead, including two children, as well as 11 others injured. At the time he was arrested, he was charged with counts related to driving under the influence.

Police at the time said that Araya had watery eyes that were bloodshot, slurred speech, and swayed when turned, consistent with signs of central nervous system depressants.

The suspect said that another vehicle cut him off, causing the incident, and that he did not have alcohol in his system. Police said he showed "all six" signs of intoxication, but he blew a zero on a breathalyzer test.

Defense attorney for Araya, Bristol Myers, filed a motion to lower the suspect's bond after the results of the toxicology test said he did not have drugs in his system. Each charge of intoxicated manslaughter, which had a bond of $200,000 for each count, had its bond lowered to $1,000 each instead. A $100,000 bond attached to an intoxication assault charge was also lowered.

Although the toxicology report provides more evidence for his defense, he still faces other felony charges. A judge approved the bond reduction on Tuesday with conditions attached. Araya must undergo random urine sample tests, have GPS tracking, is prohibited from operating a commercial vehicle, and several other conditions.