MONTGOMERY COUNTY – All inbound North Freeway lanes have reopened just south of Woodlands Parkway after a fatal accident scene has cleared.
The accident was reported just before 6 a.m. Friday.
DPS investigators said the man, identified as 74-year-old Bobby Lee Poe, suffered from Alzheimer's disease and was pushing a garbage can on the freeway when he was hit.
DPS says Poe woke up in the middle of the night, walked outside to his garage, got the trash can and pushed it more than a mile to the freeway.
Officials said Poe crossed the northbound lanes and was attempting to cross the southbound lanes when he was hit by an SUV.
Officials said Poe died at the scene.
The driver of the SUV remained at the scene until police arrived.
Poe's family, who lives in the Oak Ridge area, said he suffered from Alzheimer's for the past 15 years. They said he had wandered from home in the past, but nothing to this extent.
DPS said the driver of the SUV will not face any charges.
The North Freeway was shut down while emergency crews were on the scene. All lanes reopened just before 8 a.m.