2 off-duty HCSO deputies in serious but stable condition after major crash along Katy Fwy, HPD says
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Two off-duty Harris County Sheriff's Office deputies are in serious, but stable condition after a major crash along the Katy Freeway, according to Sheriff Ed Gonzalez.
Investigators said at about 2:48 a.m. on Sunday, the off-duty officers were driving a Toyota 4Runner when they hit a wall near the Katy Freeway exit ramp, causing them to spin across all the main lanes.
A red Corolla stopped to avoid the Toyota, but the SUV bounced off the HOV lanes, hitting the Corolla, police said.
Both deputies were ejected onto the freeway and transported to Ben Taub Hospital in critical condition, according to investigators. Sheriff Ed Gonzales later said in a press conference that the deputies are stable, but still in serious condition.
WATCH: HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF ED GONZALEZ PROVIDE AN UPDATE AFTER MAJOR CRASH
Houston police said evidence does not show that alcohol was a factor in the crash.
"There's no evidence on the scene that anything alcohol was related. However, as part of all of our investigations, we always look into that and conduct the investigation accordingly. But, on the scene, there's nothing that indicates alcohol was involved," HPD Commander Michael Chaney said.
Gonzalez said he did not know where they were coming from, considering they were not working.
"Our main thing right now is them surviving this," Gonzalez said. "Usually if they were ejected (from the vehicle) it is most likely they were not wearing their seatbelts, but we'll let (the investigators) determine that."
The westbound lanes were closed for five hours, with debris stretching across the freeway.
It is unclear what prompted the off-duty deputies to lose control. Gonzalez said their names will be released after their families have been notified.
The Houston Police Department is conducting the investigation.
At the scene, ABC13 crews witnessed a different car driving the wrong way on the shutdown freeway.
Several officers then rushed to the vehicle to pull it over, and shortly after, the driver was put in handcuffs.
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