HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The Westpark Tollway is back open after being shut down for several hours yesterday at Highway 6 in both directions due to a two-vehicle accident that hit a high voltage power transmission tower.
Houston Transtar reports the crash happened just after 3pm. Authorities were forced to close both directions of the Westpark Tollway as they worked to stabilize the high voltage structure. They reopened the tollway around 11:30pm.
CenterPoint Energy officials they replaced two legs with temporary poles that will allow the tower to remain secure and in place. The tower will need to be replaced in the future.
Precinct 5 deputy constables say the drivers of a Ford Expedition and a Ford pickup truck traveling westbound began chasing each other. The drivers then lost control and struck the transmission structure with such force that it nearly toppled over.
The driver of the pickup truck slammed against a barrier and was treated and released from the hospital with minor injuries. Further investigation revealed there was a 14-year-old boy in the pick-up at the time of the accident. Family picked him from the scene. He was not injured.
The driver of the Expedition continued down the hill into the tower. That driver was airlifted to the hospital and is in critical condition.
Police are calling this an apparent case of road rage. Curtis Waters says he can't believe so much destruction could be caused by anger.
"Pray or something. Do anything. There are better ways to go about it," he said.
There is no word of any charges as of yet in this case. An investigation is ongoing.