Scooter crash on MoPac: Police identify victim, release new details
Deadly crash involving scooter on MoPac
All northbound lanes of MoPac have reopened at 45th Street after a deadly crash involving a pedestrian on a scooter.
AUSTIN, Texas - The Austin Police Department has released new details in the deadly e-scooter crash on MoPac.
What happened in MoPac crash?
The backstory:
The incident happened at around 4:59 a.m. on August 26.
APD says officers responded to a fatal auto-pedestrian crash on a personal scooter in the 4600 block of north MoPac Expressway northbound.
The person who died has been identified as 32-year-old Lee Anthony Chavez-Avera.
Preliminary reports indicate that Chavez-Avera was on the scooter and traveling against the flow of traffic. The driver of the vehicle attempted to avoid the crash by changing lanes but Chavez-Avera steered in the same direction, which resulted in the crash.
The driver of the vehicle stopped and called 9-1-1, remained on scene, and is cooperating with the investigation.
The incident caused traffic to be forced off the highway at 45th Street and forced the closure of MoPac northbound along the 4700 block.
Drivers were urged to find alternate routes.
The closures were in place for around five hours.
By the numbers:
This incident is being investigated as Austin’s 54th fatal crash of 2026, resulting in 54 fatalities. On the date of this crash in 2025, 68 fatal crashes resulted in 72 deaths.
What you can do:
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 call (512) 472-8477.
Dig deeper:
How to operate a scooter safely
By the numbers:
According to Vision Zero crash data, from the beginning of 2026 to mid-August, there have been two deaths involving scooters. There were also four crashes with serious injuries.
Last year, there were 11 major crashes involving scooters and five the year before that.
What they're saying:
Dr. David Vander Straten, medical director of urgent care at Baylor Scott & White, says in general, injuries from riding scooters are common in the summer. The most common injuries include falls, cuts, and sometimes even fractures or head injuries.
"You have got to take care of yourself and protect yourself. Even though you may feel like you're invincible, a lot of times motorists don't see scooters, so motorists are sometimes distracted as well, and unfortunately that can lead to accidents," Vander Straten said.
He says there are three main things to keep in mind about your safety: your head, eyes, and hands. Wear a helmet, and don't drink alcohol.
"You need to assume when you're riding a scooter that no one sees you, so you need to take extra precautions, look around before crossing streets or entering other transportation avenues, make sure that you have a clear path. In essence, keep your eyes on the road as well," Vander Straten said.
He suggests wearing gloves as well in case you fall.
"Scooters have two handles for a reason. That's where your hands belong. They don't belong on your cell phone or on a camera or pointing to fun things as you're driving by. They really need to be on the handlebars so that you can control the scooter at all times," he said.
Ride in bike lanes, follow traffic laws, and avoid riding in the dark. If you do ride in the dark, use reflective clothing and lights. Of course, the faster you're going, the more dangerous it can be.
"Speed makes things more difficult and more challenging in terms of potential trauma and accidents," he said.
The Source: Information from Austin Police Department and Austin-Travis County EMS X posts and from an interview by Dr. David Vander Straten, medical director of urgent care at Baylor Scott & White