Pedestrian killed in crash on I-45 HOV lane

A pedestrian died after he was hit by a vehicle about 5:30 a.m. Tuesday on the inbound Interstate 45 HOV lane near Airtex. A pedestrian died after he was hit by a vehicle about 5:30 a.m. Tuesday on the inbound Interstate 45 HOV lane near Airtex. Photo: Johnny Hanson, Houston Chronicle Photo: Johnny Hanson, Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 15 Caption Close Pedestrian killed in crash on I-45 HOV lane 1 / 15 Back to Gallery

A pedestrian died early Tuesday morning when a car driven by an off-duty Harris County sheriff's deputy hit him on Interstate 45 in north Harris County, officials said.

The incident happened about 5:30 a.m. in the inbound North Freeway HOV lane near Airtex, according to Metro officials. Officials said it was unclear why the man was on the freeway.

The off-duty deputy, who was driving a private car, stopped.

Officials blocked the HOV lane and entrances at FM 1960 and Paramatta while crews cleared the scene. Motorists were turned around in the HOV and told to exit the lane at the nearest possible location. The HOV reopened about 8 a.m.

Metro buses in the HOV lane north of the crash site could not turn around and passengers were placed on other buses south of the crash site to continue to their destinations.