A traffic accident led to an overturned tanker truck and chemical spill in Harris County on Sept. 3. In relation to the accident, one man from Cypress is facing charges for driving while intoxicated after being believed to have caused the wreck.
The accident occurred on U.S. 290 in northwest Harris County at approximately 9:15 p.m. The driver was on the outbound Northwest Freeway by Mueschke. Deputies reported that the man was driving a pickup truck and failed to stay in his lane of traffic. This failure enabled him to impact a tanker in the other lane, causing the tanker to overturn and spill aluminum sulfate solution across the freeway. Officials closed down the westbound lanes on the freeway for an excess of 12 hours to clean up the scene. Cy-Fair Fire Department and the Harris County Hazardous Materials crew were on the scene to clean up the mess.
Deputies detained the man at the scene of the accident. Police believe he was driving while intoxicated, and the man is now facing charges for such, according to the Harris County Precinct 4 Constable’s Office. Harris County records indicate that the man did not have any prior offenses and that the charge was a misdemeanor. He paid $500 bail and was released. Police say that no injuries were reported in relation to the accident.
There is no indication at this time if the man was ordered to perform any type of test to determine his BAC level, such as a Breathalyzer test or a field sobriety test. Texas DWI defense lawyers may be able to help individuals who are facing criminal charges that are alcohol-related offenses, such as intoxicated manslaughter or driving while intoxicated. They may challenge the validity of a test if it was not performed correctly. They may help a person avoid a prison sentence in exchange for a lesser penalties by pleading with the prosecution.
Source: Houston Chronicle, “Cypress man gets DUI charge in wreck that closed 290 for 12 hours“, Dale Lezon, Mike Glenn, September 04, 2013