Drag race ends in fatal wreck

EAST AUSTIN (KXAN) - One man is dead and two other people are injured following an accident on Highway 183 south in east Austin Saturday afternoon.

Police say two drivers were drag racing their Ford Mustangs in speed of excess of 80 mph around 1:30 p.m. when the driver of a blue Mustang collided with a black Jeep Liberty trying to turn on to the highway. The driver of the blue Mustang died and his passenger had minor injuries.

The driver of the Jeep Liberty was also transported to an area hospital with minor injuries.  The names of deceased man nor the names of the passenger and other driver involved have been released.

Police told KXAN they are searching for the driver of a yellow Mustang with rims that was involved in the drag racing. The driver of that car failed to stop when they accident occurred.

"Drag racing is not a good idea," Michael McCarter, a detective with the Austin Police Department.  "This is the second fatal accident I know of involving a racing death. So it is not good."

The wreck shutdown traffic on Highway 183 south for about two hours. Motorists were diverted to side streets or on to Hwy 183 north.

Highway 183 south was re-opened shortly before 4 p.m.