Motorcyclist killed in wrong-way crash with possible drunk driver on I-69 Southwest Fwy, HPD says

Charly Edsitty Image
Friday, June 23, 2023
Motorcyclist killed in wrong-way crash with DWI suspect on I-69: HPD
All inbound lanes of the I-69 Southwest Freeway before Shepherd Drive in Montrose have been closed since 2 a.m. Police believe the DWI suspect got onto the 527 Spur going the wrong way.

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- All inbound lanes of the I-69 Southwest Freeway before Shepherd Drive in Montrose reopened six hours after a fiery wrong-way crash involving a possible drunk driver.

A motorcyclist in his 40s was killed when he was hit head-on by the driver, who Houston police said may have been intoxicated.

HPD said the crash happened just before 2 a.m. Friday. Investigators believe the driver of an SUV got onto the 527 Spur going the wrong way.

Police said there were two people inside the SUV when it collided head-on with the motorcycle. Both vehicles then caught on fire.

Officers conducted a field sobriety test on the driver of the SUV, who investigators say is cooperating.

No one inside the SUV sustained serious injuries, HPD said.

"According to our investigation, it appears that the driver that went the wrong way has signs of intoxication," Sgt. Dionne Griffiths said. "The district attorney is on scene now, processing the scene and gathering evidence. We're probably going to try to charge that driver with intoxication manslaughter."

All inbound lanes of the Southwest Freeway were closed for hours, causing major delays for drivers. The freeway reopened at 8:03 a.m., according to Houston Transtar.

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