Investigation continues after wrong-way driver slams into oncoming vehicles in the northbound lanes of I-45 between New Waverly and Huntsville
Just before 2 am Tuesday morning, northbound drivers on I-45 reported that a Jeep was driving the wrong way approaching New Waverly when it crashed into a passenger car and caught fire. An 18-wheeler driver saw the impending crash and took evasive action to avoid directly striking the crashed vehicles. After the Jeep burst into flames, the truck driver and other good Samaritans jumped into action and pulled the driver from the burning vehicle. New Waverly Firefighters and Walker County EMS quickly arrived, extinguishing the fire while triaging and treating the victims. The driver of the Jeep suffered burns and a female passenger in the northbound vehicle he struck was seriously injured but she is expected to survive. The male driver of the northbound passenger car she was in was pronounced deceased on the scene.
The northbound lanes of I-45 were closed for several hours while tow operators worked to clear the wreckage and DPS Troopers began their investigation. Traffic backed up into the Willis area and most alternate routes became jammed as well with early morning commuters and school traffic. In New Waverly, Walker County Pct. 4 Deputy Constables manned traffic control stations along Hwy 75 shortly after daylight and worked to keep traffic moving until the freeway cleared. By all accounts, local traffic was heavier than usual but was mostly cleared by 8 am except for residual backup in the northbound lanes of Hwy 75 approaching New Waverly
