HOUSTON – One person was killed Thursday morning and four others, including three officers, were injured in two crashes on Highway 288 north at the MacGregor Drive overpass.
Investigators said a speeding driver lost control and veered into the grassy median before slamming into a concrete barricade just before 2:30 a.m. The car flipped over and landed on the freeway next to Brays Bayou.
Police said the driver, a woman, died at the scene. A passenger in the vehicle was taken to a nearby hospital with unknown injuries.
"This is two nights in a row that an officer has been injured thanks to a drunk driver," said Douglas Griffith, vice president of the Houston Police Officers' Union.
Prayers for our 3 officers hit by a drunk driver/ that justice is swift for the punk who drove drunk nearly killing them #DontDrinkandDrive
— Houston Police Officers' Union (@HPOUTX) February 18, 2016
Deadly crash closes all lanes of Highway 288 north at S Mac Gregor. Traffic being diverted. @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/qNVcs8WtEa
— Brandon Walker (@KPRC2Brandon) February 18, 2016
As police were investigating the crash, a wrong-way driver heading south in the northbound lanes on Highway 288 hit an occupied patrol car. At least three officers were hurt. Two of the officers were standing outside the car and one was inside, police said.
“We noticed immediately two officers laying the ground, you can imagine what was going through our minds, we rushed to them, making sure they were OK," said Sgt. J. Roque, with the Houston Police Department.
The officers were taken to the hospital. One of the officers a broken ankle and may have other injuries. The other two officers were treated for minor injuries.
Griffith went to visit them Thursday morning, one underwent surgery.
"The officer saw it coming, his back was to the vehicle, another officer grabbed him, pulled him out of the way, at that point the officer tried to take off, he rolled, sprained his ankle and possibly tore his knee. I also spoke with the other officer who broke his leg and he was in a lot of pain," said Griffith.
PIC: Officer being placed in ambulance on gurney, after wrong way driver struck his cruiser @ ax scene on 288 @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/lmbTQhoxcY
— Brandon Walker (@KPRC2Brandon) February 18, 2016
The woman behind the wheel was 27-year-old Avian P. Foster. She was arrested on the scene and later charged with intoxication assault.
HPD: Wrong way driver who struck 3 officers on 288 is being evaluated. Will be charged with drunk driving. @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/PJGbcFLti6
— Brandon Walker (@KPRC2Brandon) February 18, 2016
Griffith says officers who work these crashes have special training in how to deal with scenarios like this. Police Chief Charles McClelland said the issue is the drunk drivers.
"What we really need to do is crack down and stop people from driving impaired, that’s the problem. It’s not the policy, it’s not training," said McClelland.