Three deadly traffic accidents end 2012

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The last days of 2012 proved to be deadly on Austin roads with three people dying in traffic fatalities across the city.

On Saturday, Dec. 29 , Austin police said Joann Brothers, 35, died when the vehicle she was driving was struck by a driver who ran a red light on State Highway 72 near Farm to Market 73.

Brothers was rushed to University Medical Center Brackenridge but died from her injuries later that day.

The other driver was issued citations for running a red light and expired driver's license.

On New Year's Eve, Austin police had two fatalities in two separate accidents.

Just after 9 a.m. , a 23-year-old woman was killed in the 11000 block of Anderson Mill Road when she lost control of her Toyota Celica and slid into oncoming traffic. The Celica was struck by two other vehicles. Police said two more vehicles were damaged when they crashed to avoid the initial collision.

Police have not released the name of the victim killed in the accident.

Later that day, an accident on U.S. Highway 290 eastbound at U.S. Highway 183 killed 20-year-old Fernando Cuba.

APD’s preliminary investigation shows that Cuba was driving a maroon 2000 Chrysler Town & Country minivan going southbound on the Highway 183 frontage road. Cuba apparently ran the red light at Highway 290 westbound service road and was struck in the driver’s side door by a gray 2007 Ford Explorer Sport.

Cuba was transported to University Medical Center Brackenridge where he died a short time later.

The Austin Police Department said they saw a total of 80 traffic fatalities in 2012 -- which is up from 54 in 2011.