Fiery crash kills one on Grand Pkwy at Katy Fwy
A fiery crash has killed one overnight on the Grand Parkway and Katy Freeway
By Foti Kallergis
Tuesday, August 09, 2016 05:24AM
HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A man was killed in a fiery wrong way accident on Grand Parkway near the Katy Freeway.
The crash happened just before 11pm Monday near Kingsland Blvd. The accident shut down all main lanes for hours on the Grand Parkway. The southbound lanes of the Grand Parkway at Katy Freeway have now reopened after investigators reconstructed the crash.
VIDEO: Bystander describes attempt to save driver's life
Investigators say the driver who died in the crash veered off the northbound lanes of the Grand Parkway and slammed into an SUV traveling in the southbound lanes. The dead driver has not been identified, but investigators say he was in his 50's. Police say four people were inside of a red SUV that the wrong way driver crashed into. They were all transported to a nearby hospital and are expected to be okay.
An eyewitness who only wanted to be identified as "Chris" said he and another bystander were the first to try and render help.
"The car was completely engulfed in flames," said Chris in a phone interview with ABC-13. "We were trying to use our bare hands and we had a baseball bat that we were trying to use for leverage to try and pry the door open to rescue the man. But our efforts failed. Fire crews had to use their hydraulic machinery or tools, the jaws of life to open-up a vehicle.
RAW VIDEO: Rescue crews arrive at fiery crash scene
Chris recorded the moments when firefighters arrived on the scene to help. The cell phone video shows the drivers car going up in flames.
"I did whatever I could to aid the help," said Chris. "At this point in time, I'm at complete peace with it. I'm praying for the families that were involved, and I have extremely heartfelt feelings towards them. They are certainly in my prayers."
There is no word yet on what caused the man to crash into the red SUV.
Bystander arrives at crash scene before arrival of rescue crews
