AUSTIN, Texas - The Austin Police Department has identified the woman who was killed while trying to cross Highway 71 as 62-year-old Ana Argueta. Argueta was hit and killed in the early morning of December 19.
According to police, officers were dispatched to the 7600 block of Highway 71 shortly before 7 a.m. on Thursday, December 19. Life-saving measures were attempted on Argueta by the Austin Fire Department and ATCEMS, but she died at the scene.
During the course of their investigation, officers learned that a 2013 dark blue Dodge Ram truck was traveling westbound on Highway 71 in the outside lane. Argueta was attempting to cross the roadway. She was not in a crosswalk and was attempting to cross mid-block over five lanes of traffic in an area that is heavily congested with traffic and not well lit.
The driver of the vehicle remained on scene and is cooperating with the investigation.
It is not believed that driver impairment, speed, or weather/road conditions were factors in this incident. It is, however, believed that poor lighting conditions in the dark, early-morning hours contributed to the collision.
Anyone with information regarding this case should call APD’s Vehicular Homicide Unit at (512) 974-4278. You can also submit tips by downloading Austin PD’s free mobile app on iPhone and Android.