The major crash happened just after 1:30 a.m. Wednesday on Highway 332 near Elm Street.
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According to the Department of Public Safety, the Brazoria County sheriff's deputy was driving northbound on SH-332 and the driver of a black Ford sedan was driving southbound in the northbound lanes.
The deputy reportedly saw the driver's headlights and tried to avoid the vehicle, but they still collided head-on.
ABC13 crews at the scene saw the sheriff's office Tahoe and the Ford being taken away on wreckers. Both vehicles were extremely damaged.
The driver of the Ford was taken via medical helicopter to Memorial Hermann. The deputy was transported by ambulance, the sheriff's office said.
The driver of the Ford is in critical condition, DPS officials said. The deputy has non-life threatening injuries and is expected to survive.
A male passenger in the Ford was pronounced dead at the scene.
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DPS officials said a third vehicle struck the deputy's patrol unit after the initial wreck. The crash only caused minor damage and no further injuries were reported.
Investigators said it is unclear why the driver of the Ford was traveling the wrong way. They are hoping to get more details after talking to the driver and getting a blood draw.
The northbound lanes of SH-332 were closed as crews continued to clear the crash and investigate the scene. They reopened shortly before 7 a.m.
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