Crash involving a DPS Trooper shuts odwn southbound lanes of the Gulf Freeway.
By Jeff Ehling
Updated 2 hrs 49 mins ago
WEBSTER, TX (KTRK) -- The Gulf Freeway has reopened after a wreck involving a DPS trooper left the southbound lanes shut down for hours at NASA Road 1.
The DPS trooper was on the shoulder of the road, possibly monitoring for speeders and drunk drivers, when he was hit by a woman suspected of driving drunk.
"A red Mercedes-Benz was traveling at a high rate of speed tried to attempt a lane change to the right on the outside and ran into the back of the state trooper," said DPS Sgt. Richard Standifer.
Trooper Chad Blackburn was parked on the right shoulder of the southbound lanes of the Gulf freeway when his car was hit from behind.
Trooper Blackburn has injuries to his spine and his spleen. He is reportedly out of surgery but remains in critical condition.
The woman who was driving the red Mercedes was taken to the hospital to have her blood drawn. She is suspected of drunk driving.
We are told Trooper Blackburn has young children and his family is with him in the hospital.
I-45 has been closed for hours during the investigation.