Wrong-way drunk driver found fast asleep in middle of major Houston highway, police say

HOUSTON – A wrong-way driver in southwest Houston alarmed drivers and authorities for more reasons than one.

According to police, they got a call around 2:30 a.m. Wednesday about a car going northbound in the southbound lanes of U.S. Highway 59 near the Shepherd and Kirby exits. 

When officers arrived, they didn’t find a person traveling along the highway. Instead, they found the car facing the wrong way, parked in the middle of the main lanes with the driver fast asleep inside, police said.

Authorities said they had to shut down U.S. 59 in order to get the man’s car out of oncoming traffic and onto the feeder road. 

Officers had the man perform a field sobriety test, and he was taken into custody after struggling to walk in a straight line.

Police said they will be testing the man’s blood Wednesday in order to determine blood alcohol level. Charges have not yet been filed.


About the Author:

Daniela Sternitzky-Di Napoli has been a digital news editor at KPRC 2 since 2018. She is a published poet and has background in creative writing and journalism. Daniela has covered events like Hurricane Harvey and the Astros World Series win. In her spare time, Daniela is an avid reader and loves to spend time with her two miniature dachshunds.