Fatal Wrong-Way Crash Shuts Down I-45

**Fatal Wrong-Way Collision Shuts Down I-45 Northbound in Montgomery County**

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, TX – A Conroe man died early Friday morning in a horrific head-on collision on I-45 North, after authorities say he was driving northbound in the southbound lanes of the freeway. The incident, which occurred just south of FM 830 at mile marker 102 around 5:00 AM, involved a passenger vehicle and an 18-wheeler, bringing northbound traffic to a standstill for several hours.

The deceased has been identified as 53-year-old Thomas James Linder of Conroe. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), Linder was operating a 2013 Lexus RX northbound in the southbound lanes when he struck a Peterbilt tractor-trailer head-on. Linder was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the 18-wheeler, 40-year-old Oscar Gomez of Houston, was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries.

The crash prompted a significant emergency response from multiple agencies, including Montgomery County Precinct 1 Constables, the Texas Department of Public Safety, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, North Montgomery County Fire Department, and Montgomery County Hospital District (MCHD) EMS.

The severity of the collision and the subsequent investigation completely shut down I-45 Northbound traffic. Motorists were diverted at FM 1097 for over four hours, causing substantial delays during the morning commute. The roadway finally reopened to traffic around 9:30 AM.

DPS troopers are leading the ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash. Authorities stated that toxicology results for Linder are pending as part of the autopsy, a standard procedure in fatal collisions, particularly those involving wrong-way drivers. Wrong-way crashes, while less common, are often among the deadliest incidents on roadways and are frequently linked to driver impairment.

Further details will be released as the investigation progresses. Anyone with information regarding the crash is encouraged to contact the Texas Department of Public Safety.