Capt. James Lovett with the Harris County Sheriff's Office said an investigation into the wreck was underway in the westbound lanes of the freeway near the Beltway.
Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said in a later update that a box truck was traveling down the freeway but began having engine issues and slowed to 15 mph in the middle of the road. In response, two vehicles tried to swerve to avoid it.
One of the cars was able to, but a Chevy Silverado came up on the box truck and couldn't clear it, striking it in the process.
Gonzalez said the front-seat passenger of the Silverado died at the scene, and the driver was taken to the hospital.
There were no injuries reported.
Houston TranStar shows the aftermath of the crash.
At a 3 p.m. update, the sheriff said the roads would be shut down for another three hours.
Officials said all traffic is exiting at Dell Dale and going through service roads. SkyEye flew over the scene, where, at one point, only one lane was seen getting by.
Gonzalez said there were no signs of intoxication from either driver.
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