THE WOODLANDS, Texas – Three people were killed when a drunk driving suspect going the wrong way on Interstate 45 caused a head-on collision in The Woodlands, said Department of Public Safety Troopers.
Troopers said Edward Blackwell, who was driving a Chevrolet Malibu, entered the freeway just north of Woodlands Parkway going north in the southbound lanes on Sunday morning.
"I've never seen anything like this in my 10 year career," DPS Trooper Eric Burse said.
Troopers said Blackwell, 43, crashed into a Pontiac G6, killing the driver and passenger in the Pontiac.
The male passenger in Blackwell's car was also killed.
The Chevy driver was taken to Memorial Hermann Hospital.
The names of the victims were not immediately released.
Blackwell was taken to the intensive car unit of Memorial Hermann Hospital.
Investigators said he will face three counts of intoxication manslaughter if he survives his injuries sustained in the crash.
It's the second time in 48 hours that a fatal wrong-way crash occurred on the North Freeway. On Friday, two teens were killed on I-45 near Highway 242 when authorities said a driver traveling the wrong way hit their car head-on.
In that case, deputies charged Nicole Nadra Baukus with intoxication manslaughter and assault.
Despite similarities in the two fatal crashes, troopers said the only common denominator is alcohol.
"It's not a road problem. It doesn't appear that the signs or any road marking would have someone turn around and do that," said Burse.