A collision involving three vehicles with no injuries on Hwy 183N at FM 1467 resulted in the arrest of one man on charges related to driving under the influence of prescription medication.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Chris Delgado, the accident occurred at approximately 10:48 a.m. when a maroon Ford Windstar van was pulled to the right signaling his intent to make a right turn when suddenly, he decided to turn left, according to Delgado. As the vehicle moved left, it struck the side of a full size Chevy van that was attempting to pass the Windstar van to the left (due to the right signal being activated). This collision sent the Chevy van into oncoming traffic. The driver of the Windstar van, realizing he too was now in oncoming traffic, pulled back to the right and was rear-ended by a dually pickup which was towing a trailer. The Windstar van was then sent off the roadway due to this second impact.
The dually pickup suffered front end and radiator damage, causing it to be disabled and the impact caused the ball on the towing hitch to break off, causing the trailer to impact the back end of the pickup.
Texas Department of Public Safety Troopers investigating the accident were informed that the driver of the Windstar van was wanted on a warrant related to a violation of orders to register as a sexual offender, according to Trooper Delgado, and subsequently he was arrested. It was later determined that the driver was also under the influence of prescription drugs which did not belong to the driver. The driver was given an additional charge of driving while intoxicated.Delgado explained that driving while intoxicated or under the influence is too often a cause of traffic accidents.
“All three vehicles were towed from the scene, thanks to someone who decided to take someone else’s medication,” said Delgado.
According to Delgado, the weather was overcast, but visibility was good. The speed zone where the accident occurred was 75 mph.
Texas Department of Public Safety Troopers Delgado, Michael Sams and Patrick Salas, Early Volunteer Fire Department and TxDOT officials responded to the scene of the accident.
