Driver jumped from Southwest Freeway in chain-reaction crash that left 1 dead and several hurt
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- All southbound lanes of IH-69 Southwest Freeway at Kirby Drive were closed due to a deadly crash that reportedly involved a driver who jumped off the freeway on Wednesday morning.
According to Houston TranStar, the crash was first reported at about 2:30 a.m. The freeway reopened three hours later at 5:40 a.m.
Houston police are calling it a chain-reaction crash that started with a single vehicle.
According to police, a driver hit the barrier on the freeway. The vehicle then sat in the mainlanes and the driver got out.
That's when a second car then hit the vehicle, and the driver of that car died. Police described him as a man in his 40s.
A third car then hit the second vehicle, HPD said. The two people in the third car were taken to the hospital and are expected to be OK, according to police.
Investigators said the driver who started the chain reaction showed signs of impairment. He jumped off of the freeway after getting out of his car, according to HPD.
"An individual that was underneath 59 ended up walking up here and telling officers, patrol, that that person was below. It was a good Samaritan, a homeless person, that came up and alerted officers that this person was below the freeway," Sgt. Dionne Griffiths said. "At the time, they didn't know that someone jumped out of the vehicle and was below."
At last check, the person who jumped was unresponsive and in critical condition at the hosital. HPD says any potential charges will come from a grand jury.
Secondary wrecks are crashes that happen because of an initial crash or problem like a flat tire.
To avoid secondary wrecks, try to pull off the road to check on your car. Stay in your vehicle with your hazard lights and seatbelts on and call for help.
You can call the Harris County Tow and Go Program at 713-881-3333 or the Harris County Motorist Assistance Program at 281-584-7500.
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