HOUSTON – A chain reaction crash caused by a wrong-way driver on the Gulf Freeway early Monday led to one man’s death and another man being charged, according to Houston police.
Jose Manuel Fernandez Ortiz, 28, is charged with driving while intoxicated.
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Police said a man was driving a silver Toyota Corolla the wrong way - traveling northbound in the southbound lanes - in the 4000 block of the Gulf Freeway shortly before 2:30 a.m. when he struck a black Nissan Altima.
Both vehicles were disabled. The Corolla driver exited his vehicle and was standing on the main lanes of the freeway.
That is when a black Buick Regal, driven by Ortiz, came upon the crash. Ortiz struck the Corolla driver, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
Witnesses said Ortiz was traveling at a high rate of speed. Police said he was also showing signs of intoxication. He was first transported to an area hospital to be treated for his injuries, and subsequently charged.
Police said this is his second offense of DWI.
On the day of the accident, an officer at the scene described it as a “double at-fault” crash.