A man riding a scooter against traffic on MoPac was killed early Wednesday after he and a driver trying to avoid him moved into the same lane, according to new details released by Austin police.
Lee Anthony Chavez-Avera, 32, died at the scene of the crash, which shut down all northbound lanes of MoPac near 45th Street for about five hours and snarled traffic during the Wednesday morning commute.
Austin police officers responded at about 4:59 a.m. to the 4600 block of North MoPac Expressway for the collision involving a vehicle and Chavez-Avera, who was riding a personal scooter.
Police said a preliminary investigation found Chavez-Avera was traveling against the flow of traffic when a driver attempted to avoid him by changing lanes. Chavez-Avera steered the scooter in the same direction, and the two collided, according to police.
The driver stopped after the crash, called 911 and remained at the scene, police said. The driver is cooperating with the investigation.
Emergency responders pronounced Chavez-Avera dead at the scene.
The crash prompted police to close northbound MoPac between the 4500 and 4700 blocks, with all traffic forced to exit at 45th Street. The closure stretched through much of the morning commute before the highway reopened shortly after 10 a.m. Wednesday, nearly five hours after emergency crews were called to the area.
Police said the crash remains under investigation.
The collision is being investigated as Austin’s 54th fatal crash of 2026, resulting in the city’s 54th traffic death of the year, according to police. At the same point in 2025, Austin had recorded 68 fatal crashes resulting in 72 deaths.
Anyone with information about the crash is encouraged to contact the Austin police at 512-974-8111. Submit an anonymous tip by visiting austincrimestoppers.org or calling 512-472-8477.