HOUSTON—The southbound lanes of the Gulf Freeway at El Dorado were shut down for about two hours Tuesday at the scene of a double-fatal crash, so investigators could re-enact the accident.
Police say Michael Gregory Petty, 29, was drunk when he caused the crash on I-45 South near Bay Area Blvd. around 12:30 p.m. Monday.
Two men were killed, and Petty has been charged with intoxication manslaughter.
Police said Petty was speeding in a black Toyota Tacoma, weaving in and out of traffic, when he smashed into the back of a gold Toyota Tacoma, which was carrying the two victims.
The impact caused the gold truck to roll several times before coming to rest in a grassy area off the roadway shoulder.
The front passenger, a 67-year-old man, was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from the truck, police said. He was rushed to Clear Lake Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
The 55-year-old driver of the gold truck suffered severe injuries and died at the scene, police said.
Petty was injured but is expected to recover.
The victims’ identities were being withheld Tuesday pending notification of family members.
While the lanes were closed Tuesday, traffic was diverted to the feeder at El Dorado so investigators could have access to the crash site. The closure caused a heavy backup, but the road reopened around noon.
