Crash near Hwy. 183 ruled homicide; victim, 17

AUSTIN (KXAN) - One man was killed early Sunday in a two-car collision on Loyola Lane and Millrace Drive, just east of Highway 183.

On Monday, Austin Police Department ruled the death of Efren Gonzalez-Rojas Jr., 17, a homicide.

The accident happened just before 2:30 a.m. and shut down Loyola Lane. The road was not completely reopened until a little before 10 a.m.

Police said the preliminary investigation shows the occupants of the two vehicles had a verbal fight in the parking lot of Club Escapade, located at 6575 Decker Lane. The disturbance carried out onto the roadway and quickly escalated, according to APD.

At some point, both vehicles were traveling westbound on Loyola Lane when the suspect vehicle rammed the victim’s vehicle from behind, causing it to leave the roadway and strike a pole.

Gonzalez-Rojas Jr., was ejected from his vehicle.

Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services arrived on scene shortly afterwards and transported the victim to University Medical Center at Brackenridge where he was pronounced dead.

The suspect vehicle fled the scene and has not been located.

APD's Homicide Unit needs the public’s assistance in locating the suspect vehicle, which is described as:

• large, white- or grey-colored pickup truck
• possibly a Ford Super Duty
• This truck will possibly have front end damage.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the Homicide Tip Line at 512-477-3588 or CrimeStoppers at 512-472-TIPS or text "Tip 103" plus the message to CRIMES.

Tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000 if a tip leads to an arrest or charges being filed.