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Suspect in alleged Cedar Park racing crash arrested, second driver identified

Cedar Park police said a teen has been arrested in connection to a crash that killed two boys near a Cedar Park Walmart.

Cedar Park police arrested a teen in connection with a crash in Cedar Park that killed two young boys on Jan. 10.

On Thursday, police arrested Hayden Michael Hammer, 18, and charged him with two counts of racing on a highway causing death, a second-degree felony. Hammer is expected to be booked into the Williamson County Jail. Police said Hammer, who is not a permanent resident of Cedar Park but has been cooperating with police, was taken into custody without incident.

On Friday, Jan. 19, police said they identified a second driver connected with the alleged racing crash but have not publicly released the person's identity.

Officials said the collision occurred on Jan. 10 between a black 2008 Dodge Ram truck and a 2016 Nissan Rogue. The female driver of the Nissan has been identified as Zara Chaudhary and she remains in a coma in critical condition. Police said the two children, 1-year-old Daniel and 8-year-old Elijah Chaudhary, were pronounced dead on scene.

Police said Chaudhary is the biological mother to Daniel and stepmother to Elijah.

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Based on evidence and information gathered from preliminary investigation including video and audio surveillance, investigators determined the driver of the Dodge Ram pickup truck was racing another truck in the westbound lanes of W. Whitestone Blvd. prior to crashing into the Nissan, which was turning onto Walton Way.

Police said there is no immediate indication that drugs or alcohol were involved.

According to Taylor County Jail records, Hammer was previously arrested for theft and criminal mischief in August and October of last year.

The case remains under investigation.

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