Wrong-way crash on I-45 kills Houston man

A Houston man died and five other people were hurt when a car traveling the wrong way struck a pickup head-on along the Interstate 45 frontage road near Madisonville, according to the Department of Public Safety.

The crash happened about 8:45 p.m. Tuesday, July 7, near mile marker 144. A 2024 Kia Forte was traveling north in the southbound lanes of the service road when it met a southbound 2004 Ford F-350, Sgt. Justin Ruiz said. Both drivers veered right, and the vehicles collided.

Ledarius Davis, 20, of Houston died at the scene, according to reports. He was riding in the Kia's front passenger seat.

The Kia's driver, Jaydian Williams, 18, of Mesquite, was flown to HCA Houston Healthcare Conroe with suspected serious injuries, Ruiz said. Williams faces charges of driving on the wrong side of the road and driving without a license.

Two teenage boys in the Kia were also hurt. A 17-year-old was taken to Memorial Hermann The Woodlands and a 15-year-old to Texas Children's Hospital, both with suspected serious injuries, according to reports.

Three people were riding in the Ford. The driver was taken to CHI St. Joseph in Bryan with minor injuries, and a front-seat passenger was flown to Baylor Scott & White with suspected serious injuries. A 14-year-old boy in the back seat was not hurt.

DPS continues to investigate.