HCSO: Drunk driver causes fatal head-on crash

HOUSTON – A man was driving drunk with his son in his pickup truck when he crashed into an SUV in northwest Harris County, killing the other driver, deputies said.

The crash happened in the 9800 block of Barker Cypress and Turketon Road at 8 p.m. Sunday.

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Investigators said the truck driver, Shannon Smith, was intoxicated when he lost control of his vehicle and crossed the median. He was traveling with his 10-year-old son, officials said. They were both transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The driver of the SUV, Mark Thomason, died at the scene, according to officials.

Smith was charged with intoxication manslaughter and DWI with a child passenger, both felonies.

A second accident occurred involving three vehicles that tried to avoid the first accident. The conditions of those drivers were not released.

Barker Cypress was shut down for several hours during the investigation. It has since reopened.