Wrong-way crash kills 2 drivers on Katy Freeway

Two people died following a collision shortly after midnight Tuesday when a vehicle traveling west on the eastbound Katy Freeway collided head-on with another vehicle.

KHOU-11 reports that a westbound BMW struck an eastbound Tesla Cybertruck near the Washington/Westcott exit. According to the Houston Police Department, the BMW went the wrong way down the exit ramp and entered the eastbound lanes of I-10.

The collision caused the BMW to catch fire while sending the Cybertruck into a nearby semi-truck. The BMW driver was pronounced dead at the scene, while the driver of the Cybertruck died at an area hospital. The driver and a passenger in the semi-truck, who witnessed the collision, were unharmed and are cooperating with investigators. The collision resulted in an hours-long shutdown of the eastbound lanes overnight.

According to nearby residents, wrong-way drivers are a frequent presence in the area. They worry that the Texas Department of Transportation’s local efforts to improve signage and visibility have not been enough to prevent wrong-way collisions.

Harris County recorded 233 wrong-way crash injuries in 2024.

What Makes Wrong-Way Collisions Uniquely Dangerous?

A driver going against the flow of traffic on a highway or divided road presents an urgent and uniquely severe hazard to themselves and others on the road. Wrong-way crashes usually involve head-on impacts at high speeds, which can lead to severe or fatal injuries. Additionally, drivers of oncoming vehicles often have limited time to act and no sense of the wrong-way driver’s ability to correct their course, giving them few options to avoid a collision.

Due to the force of impact in these crashes, wrong-way accidents are among the deadliest incidents that occur on Houston’s roads. Brain trauma, spinal cord injuries, internal bleeding, and blunt force trauma can all cause immediate, catastrophic harm.

Who’s Responsible for Wrong-Way Accidents? 

The process of determining who bears responsibility for a wrong-way collision can be complicated because several parties may share some of the blame. Accidents involving more than two vehicles, like the Katy Freeway collision early Tuesday morning, introduce additional complexity.

The wrong-way driver is typically the primary responsible party, but other parties may have contributed to the crash even if they weren’t physically present at the scene. Some of the potentially liable parties in wrong-way accidents include:

• The wrong-way driver, especially if they were impaired, distracted, confused, or fatigued
• A bar or restaurant that overserved an intoxicated driver before the crash
• A local or state agency that failed to maintain proper signage, lighting, or road markings
• A construction company that created confusing detours or obstructed warning signs
• A vehicle manufacturer, if a malfunction caused the wrong-way entry

Get Help After a Wrong-Way Crash

If you were involved in a collision with a wrong-way driver, you may be facing significant financial losses and a prolonged physical recovery. A Houston car accident lawyer can take charge of investigating the crash and preparing your insurance claim so you can focus on healing. Consider reaching out to an experienced Houston wrong-way accident attorney to discuss your next steps.