KINGWOOD, Texas – Four Houston firefighters have been hospitalized after a crash involving an 18-wheeler in Kingwood on Sunday.
The crash happened on the Eastex Freeway and Northpark Drive around 1:40 a.m. Houston police said the firefighters were responding to a crash when the driver of the 18-wheeler hit another vehicle, which hit the firefighters’ engine truck.
The firefighters were transported to the hospital in serious condition, but all are expected to survive.
The driver of the 18-wheeler was also transported to the hospital. Officers are now checking to see if alcohol played a factor in the crash.
The Eastex Freeway was completely shut down Sunday morning for several hours.
On Sunday night, Houston Mayor John Whitmire said he and HFD Chief Munoz visited the injured firefighters in the hospital. He identified them as Ben Abbott, Colbey Bailey and Engineering Operator Jason Thompson.
Tonight, with @HoustonFire Chief Muñoz, I visited Houston firefighters Ben Abbott, Colbey Bailey, and Engineer Operator Jason Thompson, who were injured while on duty.
— Houston Mayor's Office (@houmayor) December 1, 2025
Please keep them and their families in your prayers, and continue to lift up all of Houston’s first responders. pic.twitter.com/lZJFtK2cMb