Just before 2am Johnny B. Coats age 51 of New Caney was northbound on US 59 approaching Kingwood Drive in his Toyota pickup when he struck the rear of Dodge pickup also northbound on the freeway. The crash caused Coats wheel to catch the back of the Dodge pickup and flip it onto it’s side and causing it to slide several hundred feet on the freeway.
Houston Fire Department was dispatched as was Life Flight. As they worked to free Mr. Coats, who was talking with rescuers from the vehicle he passed away.
The driver of the truck that was struck suffered minor injuries. His wife who was five months pregnant was taken to Northeast Memorial in Humble as a precaution.