Deadly wrong-way crash blocks Eastex Freeway

A wrong-way driver died early Friday morning after slamming into a big-rig on U.S. 59 in northeast Houston, forcing officials to shut down the freeway for hours.

The crash happened about 3:45 a.m. in the 9000 block of the outbound Eastex Freeway near Laura Koppe, according to the Houston Police Department.

Police said a black pickup was traveling southbound in the northbound lanes when it collided with the 18-wheeler, which was traveling northbound. The pickup driver died at the scene. The trucker was rushed to a nearby hospital. He had minor injuries and is expected to survive.

Witnesses told investigators a dump truck or garbage truck hit the big-rig trailer after the initial collision, but the driver of that vehicle left the scene before officers arrived.

Investigators are trying to determine where and when the pickup driver got onto the freeway headed in the wrong direction.

The wreck forced officials to block the northbound lanes while crews cleared the scene. It was not known when the lanes would reopen.

A wrong-way driver died early Friday morning after slamming into a big-rig on U.S. 59 in northeast Houston, forcing officials to shut down the freeway for hours. A wrong-way driver died early Friday morning after slamming into a big-rig on U.S. 59 in northeast Houston, forcing officials to shut down the freeway for hours. Photo: Metro Video Photo: Metro Video Image 1 of / 17 Caption Close Deadly wrong-way crash blocks Eastex Freeway 1 / 17 Back to Gallery

More details will be reported when they are released.