WINNIE, Texas — A man is facing charges in connection with one crash after a series of a Sunday morning crashes near Winnie temporarily shut down Interstate 10 eastbound and left at least one person injured.
All the crashes happened near mile marker 819, Chambers County Sheriff Brian Hawthorne told 12News. The first happened around 6 a.m. when an alleged drunk driver hit the back of an 18-wheeler.
The suspected drunk driver was later identified as Adrian Magana. He was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated and failure to stop and give information.
A bond amount has not yet been confirmed.
Deputies believe the subsequent accidents occurred because drivers were paying attention to the initial crash instead of the road.
While the investigation into the first accident was taking place, Sheriff Hawthorne said an 18-wheeler ran into the back of another 18-wheeler. One person involved in this crash was flown to a hospital with serious injuries.
There was another multi-vehicle accident that followed the second crash.
The crashes initially shut down Interstate 10 eastbound at mile marker 819. Officials later reopened the main lanes on the interstate. Exit 817 and the service road are still closed.
Major delays are expected, according to the release.
Major crash leaves one lane open on Interstate 10 eastbound near Winnie, delays expected
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This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.