A major accident on the I-45 North Freeway has closed northbound lanes following a fuel spill from an 18-wheeler.
HOUSTON — A major traffic incident has shut down northbound lanes of the North Freeway at Crosstimbers Thursday morning after several vehicles hit a metal object that had fallen onto the roadway, leading to a chain-reaction crash and a fuel spill.
According to Lt. Terry Garza with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, the crash involved multiple vehicles, including an SUV and an 18-wheeler. The SUV reportedly hit the fuel tank of the 18-wheeler, causing it to rupture and spill diesel fuel across the freeway. The object that sparked the incident is believed to have fallen from a load being transported on the freeway.
“Multiple vehicles were damaged by the metal object,” Garza said in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “The freeway is shut down for this hazmat spill. Avoid the area.”
The HCSO MAP unit is assisting Houston police at the scene. Cleanup crews are working to contain the diesel spill and clear the debris, but there is no immediate estimate on when the northbound lanes will reopen.
Alternate routes to avoid the shutdown
- Exit I-45 Northbound at I-610 and use the North Loop westbound to reconnect with Hardy Toll Road or Airline Drive
- Use Fulton Street or North Main Street as alternate surface routes northbound
- Travelers coming from downtown may consider using I-69/US-59 North as a primary alternate corridor
Drivers are urged to use caution and allow for extra time in their morning commute.