A passenger’s assault on a driver prompted a deadly crash that forced all inbound lanes of Highway 290 to shut down Friday morning, according to Sheriff Ed Gonzalez.
The crash on Highway 290 at Mason Road was reported at about 5:20 a.m. in the Cypress area.
Gonzalez said the crash happened on the inside lane after a passenger in one of the vehicles involved started assaulting the driver. In that car was the driver and two passengers. The driver stopped the car and all three individuals got out, according to the sheriff.
That’s when a truck, also in the inside lane, allegedly hit the rear of the parked vehicle.
The initial vehicle’s two passengers, a man and a woman, were also hit by the truck while standing outside, Gonzalez said. They were confirmed dead at the scene by authorities.
The driver of the car was injured but is in fair condition, Gonzalez said. As for the driver of the truck, they were also injured but in fair condition.
All inbound lanes at Mason Rd are shut down. Grand Pkwy exit flyover/sb and nb 99 are shutdown. All lanes will be shutdown for several hours. #HouNews #HouTraffic https://t.co/Yq16h7EfjL
— Ed Gonzalez (@SheriffEd_HCSO) October 28, 2022
The sheriff said there does not appear to be signs of impairment from either driver. It is believed the driver of the car was giving the two passengers a ride to their own vehicle and may have been coming from a college homecoming event.
Update to fatal crash scene: the incident occurred on the inside (fast) lane. A male driver had two passengers, a male and female. The connection btwn the three is unknown. For unknown reasons, one of the passengers began assaulting the driver. The driver stopped the car and 1/3 https://t.co/BLid1nqafn
— Ed Gonzalez (@SheriffEd_HCSO) October 28, 2022
An investigation is ongoing.
As for those trying to get around the crash, authorities are urging drivers to use the service road or Cypresswood Drive as alternate routes.
Please avoid the area of 290 inbound at Mason. Inbound 290 lanes are closed while Vehicular Crimes Investigators work a scene of a fatality crash. Please pray for those involved. Use the service rd or cypress wood dr to go around the scene. @HCSO_PSSB @HCSOTexas pic.twitter.com/MIOsk9Fyy3
— HCSO Vehicular Crimes Division (@HCSO_VCD) October 28, 2022
The Grand Parkway southbound and northbound exits will also be shut down for several hours, the sheriff said.