Officer Killed in Head-On Collision
An officer of the Houston Police Department and one other person are dead after a head-on collision with another vehicle that was travelling the wrong way on the southbound Gulf Freeway. Southbound traffic on the freeway remained closed for around four hours while emergency crews investigated and cleaned up the scene.
A spokesman for the Houston Police Department said that the personal vehicle of HPD Officer Joe Segovia was driving his SUV south when the crash occurred near the exit for Almeda at Genoa Road at around 2:41 a.m. Segovia’s vehicle was struck, a Chrysler 300 that was travelling in the wrong direction. At least one other driver was able to avoid a collision with the vehicle. Officer Segovia, who had been on the force for less than one year, was driving his vehicle approximately 50 feet behind the car that successfully avoided the crash. Segovia, however, was unable to maneuver in time to avoid impact with the oncoming vehicle. Both drivers, one being Officer Segovia, were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. HPD reports that Officer Segovia was still in his police uniform at the time of his death.
In a written statement released the University of Houston-Clear Lake Police: “Officer Segovia was assigned to the patrol division and quickly integrated into the community during his short time with the department. He was regarded as an exemplary officer and will be greatly missed.”
It seems unbelievable. You are always careful to follow the rules of the road, and somehow everything is seemingly turned upside down because someone else is going against traffic. Even though wrong-way driving accidents are less frequent than many other crashes, the head-on collisions that result are more likely to result in serious, or life-altering injuries or even death.
Although wrong-way accidents are statistically less common than other types of roadway accidents, they do happen at a rate higher than most would expect. Researchers at the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Texas A&M University examined police reports in the State of Texas found that in the State of Texas in 2011, for example, there were 329 wrong-way crashes.
Wrong way crashes are about five times more likely to happen between the hours of midnight and 6 a.m., with most of these occurring during the hour of 2:00 a.m. – 3:00 a.m. This directly correlates with the closing time of most Texas bars by law. Half of all wrong-way crashes resulted in either a death or an incapacitating injury. Most of the wrong-way drivers involved in such accidents were found to be either operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or other substances, or even both, at the time of the accident.
If you or a loved one has been injured or been tragically lost in an accident where someone was going the wrong-way, give us a call. We have experienced attorneys who can discuss the details of your case with you and help you decide your best course of action. We can help you to settle a claim to cover the medical or long term care costs and other damages that you or your loved ones are entitled to. Our lawyers take the time and will be your contact person for dealing with insurance companies and other legal issues concerning your accident. We are here to help you, and your initial consultation is free.