Police Arrest Suspected Drunken Driver After Chain-Reaction Crash

HOUSTON -- A suspected drunken driver was arrested Thursday morning after police said he slammed into a patrol car on a highway in downtown Houston, injuring one person, KPRC Local 2 reported.

The accident, involving an 18-wheeler, a Houston Police Department patrol car and a tow truck, happened at about 2:30 a.m. on Interstate 45 near West Dallas Street after the big rig sideswiped a Lexus, causing minor damage.

An officer and tow truck showed up shortly after the crash to investigate and clear the scene when police said a suspected drunken driver slammed his Subaru into the back of the tow truck.

"He was driving down the road, struck the back of one of the wreckers, which spun his car around striking one of our police vehicles. The only person that was injured was the wrecker driver," HPD Sgt. Robert Schweiker said.

Emergency workers transported the wrecker driver to Memorial Hermann Hospital. His condition has not been released.

Officers arrested the suspected drunken driver and transported him to the police station where he was given a Breathalyzer test. However, police said the accident is not the only charge the suspect could face.

"He had a 2006 sticker on the vehicle when it was registered for 2003. Plus, there were some other violations," Schweiker said.

Police have not identified the suspect or said what charges they have filed against him.

The original accident involving the Lexus and 18-wheeler truck remains under investigation.