Two separate crashes involving tractor trailers forced the closure of Interstate 10 near Houston on Wednesday morning.
The accidents happened on December 8th beginning at 1:30 a.m. in Waller County.
According to Click 2 Houston, the first crash occurred when a pickup began traveling the wrong way on the I-10 Katy Freeway near Peach Ridge Road. The pickup driver was traveling west in the eastbound lanes when it collided head on with an oncoming tractor trailer. The pickup driver was injured in the wreck and was transported to the hospital with minor injuries. Police are still working to determine if alcohol was a factor in that wreck.
MAJOR delays on I-10 in Waller County.
— Zach Lashway (@KPRC2Zach) December 8, 2021
An early AM wrong way crash in EB lanes (seen ⬇️ ) shut down the highway. Minor injuries. Alcohol might be a factor.
Hours later, the driver of an 18-wheeler rear-ended another big rig in WB lanes. Life threatening injuries.@kprc2 pic.twitter.com/RW8fIFugZI
The second wreck occurred on I-10 West and FM 1498 when one semi truck rear ended another. The wreck trapped one of the drivers inside of their cab and first responders had to free the person from the wreckage.
#UPDATE: I-10 WB near FM1489 remains closed. Authorities say they are waiting for hazmat to arrive. Could be closed for hours. @KPRC2 @KPRC2Anavid
— Zach Lashway (@KPRC2Zach) December 8, 2021
That driver and their passenger were then transported to a nearby hospital with life-threatening injuries. It is not clear what caused the wreck between the two tractor trailers.
As of 9:05 a.m. CST, I-10 westbound near FM 1489 was still closed for cleanup and backups were still present on I-10 eastbound near Peach Ridge Road.