The Woodlands saw two unusual wrong-way accidents along I-45 in a matter of days.
Early Friday morning, 23-year-old Nicole Baukus allegedly drove northbound in the southbound lanes of I-45 near Highway 242. Her pickup truck hit an oncoming car head-on, killing two teenage passengers and injuring a third.
Baukus, who was treated for minimal injuries at an area hospital, has been charged with two counts of intoxication manslaughter and one count of intoxication assault.
"This is a sad situation. It's not a road problem," state trooper Erik Burse said.
Not even 48 hours later, a second wrong-way accident just after 1:30 a.m. on Sunday yielded three more fatalities.
According to Your Houston News, 43-year-old Edward Blackwell "was heading south on I-45, entered the on ramp near Woodlands Parkway, made a sharp U-turn and then begin driving the wrong way on the freeway."
Blackwell's Malibu collided with an oncoming car, killing his passenger and the two passengers of the oncoming vehicle. Blackwell was transported to the hospital in critical condition.
State trooper Erik Burse told Your Houston News that alcohol may have been a contributing factor; if so, Blackwell could face three possible charges of intoxication manslaughter.
"This is a very sad situation. It's not a road problem. It doesn't appear that the signs or any road markings would have anyone turn around and do that," Burse told KHOU.
Watch the rest of the KHOU video below.
