Another deadly wrong-way accident on I-45 claims 3 lives
Within a matter of a few days of a June 29 deadly wrong-way crash on the North Freeway (I-45) that claimed 2 lives, another deadly wrong-way accident on Interstate 45 has occurred. The second accident also appears to involve drunk driving. A Houston Chronicle story has identified the wrong-way driver as Edward Blackwell, 43, of Montgomery, Texas.
The accident happened around 1:30am today, Sunday July 1, 2012. State Troopers told Channel 13 that a white-colored Chevrolet Malibu sedan was spotted swerving on southbound I-45. The driver of the white Malibu, Edward Blackwell, then entered the exit ramp at The Woodlands Parkway, driving the wrong way. Seconds later the Malibu crashed head-on into another vehicle, a gold-colored Pontiac, with two occupants. Troopers say Blackwell was speeding at the time of the crash. DPS Trooper Erik Burse said there did not appear to be any problems with road marking or signage that would cause a driver to turn around and drive the wrong way.
Blackwell survived the accident and was taken by helicopter to Memorial Hermann Hospital where officials say he was determined to have an elevated alcohol level. The three victims killed in the accident were pronounced dead at the scene. Blackwell is 43-years old and his deceased passenger was 47. The two passengers in the other car that were killed were only 25 and 27-years old. One of the occupants in Pontiac killed in the accident has been identified by the Montgomery County Police Reporter as 27-year old Dominique Hobbs of Grand Prairie, Texas.
Wrong-way driver Edward Blackwell's Chevy Malibu
The gold Pontiac sedan struck head-on by Blackwell's Chevy Malibu
Both occupants of the Pontiac were killed in the collision
This is the second deadly wrong-way accident on I-45 in less than a week