HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — A devastating wrong-way crash early Saturday morning claimed the life of a young man and left another person injured after a violent collision sparked a vehicle fire on Tomball Parkway in northwest Harris County. Authorities say the crash caused chaos on the roadway and required quick action from deputies who arrived to find one vehicle fully engulfed in flames.
According to Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, deputies were dispatched to the scene around 1:30 a.m. after receiving reports of a serious crash. When they arrived, they found a vehicle burning intensely in the southbound lanes. The crash scene was dangerous, with fire, debris, and heavy smoke spreading across the roadway.
Sheriff Gonzalez said deputies immediately helped rescue a man trapped inside the burning vehicle. The injured man was safely removed and transported by paramedics to a nearby hospital for treatment. His injuries were described as non-life-threatening. Gonzalez also confirmed that several deputies sustained minor injuries during the rescue, which were treated at the scene.
Investigators later determined that the crash was caused by 25-year-old Julio Alberto Calero Ramirez, who was driving the wrong way in the southbound lanes of Tomball Parkway. Authorities say his vehicle collided head-on with another car, leading to severe damage and triggering the fire that followed the impact.
Calero Ramirez was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Sheriff Gonzalez. Officials have not said what caused him to enter the roadway traveling in the wrong direction. At this time, it remains unclear whether factors such as speed, impairment, or confusion played a role in the deadly crash.
Traffic in the area was heavily affected as investigators worked to document the scene and clear the roadway. Houston TranStar cameras showed long backups as crews removed damaged vehicles and debris. The investigation into the crash remains ongoing, and authorities continue to urge drivers to stay alert, especially during late-night and early-morning hours when wrong-way crashes are more likely to occur.
