City of Austin
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASERelease Date:
Contact: Public Information Office 512-974-5017 Email
Case: 21-0380214
Date: February 7, 2021
Time: 2:57 a.m.
Location: 2900 block of San Gabriel Street
Deceased: Felipe Chavez-Salinas, Hispanic male, born 2-5-1987
The preliminary investigation shows that the decedent, who has not yet been identified, was driving a red, 2020 Chevrolet Corvette southbound in the 3000 block of N. Lamar at a high rate of speed. The Corvette sideswiped a silver, 2018 Ford Explorer that was in use as a ridesharing vehicle, before colliding with two telephone poles and a parked, unoccupied silver, 2021 Toyota Tundra. The Corvette came to a stop near W. 29th and Shoal Crest Avenue.
The driver, and sole occupant, of the Chevrolet was transported by Austin-Travis County EMS to Dell Seton Medical Center at the University of Texas where he was pronounced deceased at 6:50 a.m. The driver and customer in the Ford were uninjured.
This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information regarding this case should call APD’s Vehicular Homicide Unit Detectives at (512) 974-4278. You can also submit tips by downloading APD’s mobile app, Austin PD, for free on iPhone and Android.
This is Austin’s 14th fatal traffic crash of 2021, resulting in 15 fatalities for the year. On the date of this crash in 2020, there were 14 fatal crashes resulting in 14 fatalities.
These statements are from the initial assessment of the fatal crash and investigation is still pending. Fatality information may change.