HOUSTON, TX – An oversized vehicle hauling hay lost part of its load just after midnight on the outbound U.S. 59 freeway at the 288 split, prompting lane closures and a secondary crash that injured a Houston police officer.
According to police, the hay load struck the overpass above and several large round hay bales fell onto the roadway. Patrol units blocked the freeway to protect motorists while crews awaited a heavy-duty wrecker to remove the large hay bales.
Just after 3 a.m., while the roadway remained closed, a Volvo broke through the barricades and struck a marked patrol vehicle with an officer inside. The officer was transported to Memorial Hermann Texas Medical Center with minor, non-life-threatening injuries.
Police said the driver was checked for impairment and admitted to having drinks prior to the crash. The department’s DWI task force is handling that portion of the investigation, while additional units continue investigating the scene. The roadway is expected to reopen once the hay bales are removed.
Discover more from Houston Stringer
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.