The roads in and around Houston are dangerous enough when everybody is paying attention to those around them and obeying the law. When a driver breaks the law, such as by traveling in the wrong direction, the chance of an accident is much greater.
A recent car accident in Harris County, in which one vehicle was driving east in the westbound lanes, led to the death of at least five people.
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office said that the two-vehicle accident occurred at approximately 11 p.m. on the North Sam Houston Parkway. It was at that time that a man was driving his Dodge Ram the wrong direction, subsequently crashing into a Ford F-150.
Five people who were in the Ford were pronounced dead at the scene. Additionally, the front seat passenger in the F-150 was injured and transported to Memorial Hermann Hospital for the treatment of serious injuries.
Of the five people who died, four were adults and the fifth was a child, who was believed to be 3 or 4 years o ld.
Police said that the driver of the Dodge showed signs of being impaired and that they found containers of alcohol in the vehicle. As a result, he was arrested and charged with six counts of intoxication manslaughter.
It is likely that this car accident could have been avoided had the man not been drinking and driving. This potentially led to him making the poor decision of traveling the wrong way. Not only is this man now faced with six counts of intoxication manslaughter, but the loved ones of those who were killed may be able to file a lawsuit against him.
Source: The Houston Chronicle, “5 killed in Houston-area wrong-way traffic wreck” Dale Lezon, Jun. 30, 2014