On February 1, 2024, a tragic traffic accident occurred in the 700 block of W. Howard Lane, resulting in the death of Jesse Duer. According to the Austin Police Department (APD), Duer, a white male born on December 4, 1984, was involved in a collision with a pickup truck at approximately 7:06 a.m. The driver of the truck remained at the scene and is fully cooperating with the investigation. It has been determined that the driver was not impaired at the time of the incident.
Jesse Duer was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital, where he fought for his life for several days. Tragically, he succumbed to his injuries on February 5th. This incident marks the fifth fatal crash in Austin in 2024, resulting in a total of five fatalities so far this year. Comparatively, on the same date in 2023, there were nine fatal crashes that claimed nine lives.
The investigation into this fatal crash is still ongoing, and the APD's Vehicular Homicide unit is actively seeking any information related to the incident. Authorities urge anyone with information to contact them at 512-974-8111. For those who wish to remain anonymous, tips can be submitted through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program by visiting austincrimestoppers.org or calling 512-472-8477.
It is important to note that the information provided is based on the initial assessment of the fatal crash and that further details may emerge as the investigation progresses. The APD will continue to update the public as new information becomes available.