Man charged with intoxication manslaughter for wrong-way crash on I-45

The freeway's southbound lanes were closed north of Houston for several hours early Thursday morning.

Author: Doug Delony, Michelle Choi; Published: 3:54 AM CST December 19, 2019, Updated: 7:33 AM CST December 19, 2019

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — A man was killed in a collision with an intoxicated wrong-way driver on I-45 North, deputies said early Thursday.

Two people, including the wrong-way driver, were hurt and taken to the hospital.

The crash happened on the interstate's southbound lanes near Airtex, north of Beltway 8, at about 2 a.m. All inbound/southbound lanes were closed until 7:30 a.m. - the freeway has since reopened.

Deputies with the Harris County Sheriff's Office said they received reports of a wrong-way driver just before the crash occurred, but authorities were not able to respond in time to stop him.

The driver, who was in a silver Chevrolet Impala, first sideswiped an Infiniti, which then hit the barrier. The wrong-way driver kept going and collided head-on with a white Dodge Charger.

A passenger in the Charger died at the scene. The driver of that car, the victim's cousin, suffered a head injury and was taken to the hospital. He's expected to survive.

The wrong-way driver also suffered a head injury and was taken to the hospital. He was later charged with intoxication manslaughter, HCSO confirmed.

Deputies said the driver in the Infiniti was not seriously hurt.

The names of the suspect and the victims have not yet been released.

Sheriff Ed Gonzalez tweeted about the crash, saying people "need to make better decisions- to never drive impaired and plan a safe ride home every time, to prevent these senseless tragedies."

"Some family will receive the horrific news," he also tweeted. "That knock on the door is something far too many Harris County residents have had to experience."