Drivers trying to head out of town for Thanksgiving on the I-10 Katy Freeway dealt with delays due to two crashes that happened late Tuesday night. The westbound lanes were closed for about eight hours and reopened shortly after 7 a.m.
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One crash involved an 18-wheeler and a Hyundai Sonata. The second crash left a Houston police officer who was blocking traffic near the scene with a concussion.
The first crash happened on I-10 westbound near Highway 6 just after 11 p.m.
Houston police said the 25-year-old woman driving the Hyundai changed lanes when it was unsafe, cutting off the 18-wheeler. The driver slammed into her and both vehicles ended up crashing into the HOV lane, police said.
NOTE: Houston police initially told reporters at the scene that the car struck by the 18-wheeler was a Tesla. In a later update, they clarified that the vehicle was actually a Hyundai Sonata. Officials also initially said the 18-wheeler driver briefly took his eyes off the road, striking the Hyundai. After further investigation, police said the Hyundai driver was actually the one at-fault. This post has been updated to reflect those corrections.
The woman driving the Hyundai was trapped in the car and had to be rescued by Houston firefighters. At last check, police said she was in critical condition.
The 61-year-old driver of the 18-wheeler was not hurt, police said.
"Currently, we're working two crashes. A crash involving our officer, who was struck by a driver who is possibly impaired. Right now, that part is under investigation," Sgt. Dionne Griffiths said. "Then we have another crash further down the road where it doesn't look good for the complainant. She may not survive her injuries."
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About a mile and a half east of the initial crash scene, near Dairy Ashford Road, an HPD officer who was blocking lanes of traffic with his patrol vehicle was hit by a suspected drunk driver around 11:25 p.m., according to police.
The 31-year-old at-fault driver ended up in the westbound mainlanes of the freeway and got hit by two other cars.
The HPD officer and the suspected drunk driver were both taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. In a later update, police said the officer suffered a concussion but is alert and is expected to make a full recovery.
The drivers of the other two cars involved were not seriously hurt, police said.
The investigation into whether or not the at-fault driver was intoxicated is ongoing, HPD said. So far, no charges have been filed.
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