Jose Velazquez and Joanne Menchaca Killed, Joseph Diaz Seriously Injured in Austin Two-Vehicle Crash on Highway 71

Austin, Texas (January 21, 2020) – The two people who were killed in a two-vehicle crash that left another person seriously injured Sunday morning in Austin have been identified as Jose Velazquez,49, and  Joanne Menchaca,45, both of Austin, according to the DPS.

The fatal crash occurred around 10:00 a.m. January 19, in the 5000 block of East Highway 71 westbound, near Richards Drive.

DPS said Joseph Diaz, 20, of San Marcos, was driving westbound on the highway while Velazquez was stopped at a stop sign at the crossover.

Velazquez failed to yield and attempted to cross the highway into a salvage yard and was hit on the rear passenger side by Diaz.

Velazquez and his passenger, Menchaca, were pronounced dead at the scene.

Diaz was taken to Dell Seton Medical Center with serious, potentially life-threatening injuries.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.