KYLE, TX – A motorcycle accident on southbound Interstate Highway 35 in Kyle at about 10:15 p.m. Sunday resulted in a fatality. Kyle Police are reporting that Edward Ortiz, Jr., 41, of Kyle died when the motorcycle he was driving hit an 18-wheeler trailer from behind.
It was Kyle’s first I-35 fatality of 2019.
According to Lt. Andre Marmolejo, the call to 911 came in around 10:17 p.m.
“Our preliminary crash investigation indicates the motorcycle driver was traveling at a high rate of speed when he hit the trailer in front of him,” Marmolejo said.
Ortiz then became entangled under the trailer. The truck driver pulled over about 200 feet down the freeway. Reports show the crash happened near mile marker 217.
Ortiz was pronounced deceased on the scene by Hays County Pct. 2 Justice of the Peace Beth Smith, who ordered an autopsy be performed. The family of Ortiz has been notified, according to Marmolejo.
The southbound lanes of I-35 were shut down for approximately an hour and 40 minutes while KPD investigated the scene.
Some details about the crash are still unknown. Anyone who may have witnessed the accident is asked to contact Kyle PD at 512-268-3232.
