Pakistani TV host killed in wreck with big rig that shut down SW Freeway for hours

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Khurram Ibrahim, host of a popular Pakistani sports talk show, was tragically killed after smashing into a stalled 18-wheeler Tuesday afternoon.

Ibrahim's car was crushed beneath the rear of a stalled 18-wheeler on US-59 near Harwin. Police say he "failed to control his speed" when his black BMW slammed into the back of the 18-wheeler.

All southbound lanes were shut down as investigators worked to clear the wreck and tow the mangled BMW. Traffic was backed up for more than four hours.

Friends say Ibrahim had just left a funeral before the crash happened.

A Pakistani native, Ibrahim came to the U.S. three decades ago. He graduated from Texas A&M.

Friends tell Eyewitness News he was passionate about family, faith, sports, especially cricket. Ibrahim hosted a popular cricket talk show through the Pakistani cable channel TVONE.

"It is extremely difficult, not just for the family but for the entire community -- the entire Muslim-American community, the southeast Asian community, the entire Houston community," said Zaf Tahir, Ibrahim's close friend. "Khurram was not only popular in this community, but he was a Houston proud kind of a person. He was always out there for any and every cause. He was friends with all age groups. I didn't just lose a younger brother. My boys lost an uncle."

Ibrahim leaves behind a wife and three children. He was 43 years old.