Staff Report
HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — A tragic crash in north Houston left one woman dead and another facing serious charges after a wrong-way collision on the Hardy Toll Road early Saturday morning.
According to the Precinct 4 Constable’s Office, the accident happened around 5:15 a.m. on March 8, near East Hardy Road, just west of Bush Airport.
Investigators say 26-year-old Jasmine Arteaga was driving the wrong way in the southbound lanes of the Hardy Toll Road when she crashed head-on into another vehicle.
The driver of the other car, a 46-year-old woman, was rushed to the hospital but did not survive. Her identity has not been released.
Arteaga sustained minor injuries and was taken to a hospital, where blood tests revealed she was intoxicated at the time of the crash.
She has since been charged with intoxication manslaughter, and her bond has been set at $250,000.
Following the crash, the main lanes of the Hardy Toll Road were closed for several hours as authorities investigated, with traffic redirected to the Sam Houston Tollway.
Combating Wrong-Way Driving in Houston
Wrong-way driving remains a pressing issue in the Houston area, with officials stressing that most of these incidents involve impaired drivers.
Efforts to prevent such tragedies focus on a combination of engineering, enforcement, and education.
TxDOT public information officer Danny Perez explained that preventive measures include:
Red, illuminated signs at exit ramps.
Detection and warning systems to alert drivers going the wrong way.
Gates on controlled roadways like the Westpark Tollway to block wrong-way access.
Houston isn’t alone in tackling this problem. In 2011, San Antonio formed a task force to address wrong-way crashes, implementing pilot programs with camera detection, warning systems, and improved road markers — which cut wrong-way incidents by 30% in just one year.
Despite these efforts, officials emphasize that preventing drunk driving is the most effective way to stop these deadly crashes.
North Freeway: The Deadliest Road for Wrong-Way Wrecks
A KHOU 11 investigation, using data from the Texas Department of Transportation, revealed that Harris County has recorded 2,891 wrong-way crashes over the past decade. These crashes claimed the lives of 111 people, with 87 being fatal incidents.
The North Freeway (I-45) stands out as the deadliest stretch of road for wrong-way collisions in Harris County, with 10 fatal crashes and 13 deaths in the last 10 years. Alarmingly, every fatal crash involved drugs or alcohol.
Tips to Avoid a Wrong-Way Crash
Houston police have shared four crucial tips to help drivers stay safe:
1. Stay alert and keep your eyes on the road ahead.
2. Stick to the right lane at night — wrong-way drivers often use the left lane.
3. If you spot a wrong-way driver, slow down, move to the shoulder, and call 911.
4. Protect yourself — don’t try to stop the other driver.
As authorities work to reduce these tragic crashes, the message remains clear: never drink and drive.
