A major crash brought northbound traffic to a standstill on IH-45 near the FM-1764/Emmett F Lowry Expressway interchange in Galveston County early Tuesday morning. The collision occurred at 12:26 AM, according to TranStar incident data, creating significant backup along one of the region's most critical north-south corridors during the overnight hours.
The pre-dawn timing of this crash will likely impact the early morning commute heading into the Greater Houston area. Drivers heading north from Galveston and League City toward downtown should expect delays extending well into the morning rush. Those looking to avoid the backup should consider taking FM-1764 east toward Dickinson or routing through local roads, though that's an impractical option for most through-traffic. The alternative of heading west on I-45 and then north through other routes will add considerable time to any journey. Northbound I-45 between the crash site and the Beltway 8 interchange will likely see the heaviest congestion.
This section of IH-45 serves as the primary gateway between the Galveston area and Houston proper, handling thousands of vehicles daily—a mix of commuter traffic, commercial trucks, and recreational travelers heading to and from the Gulf Coast. The FM-1764 interchange is a crucial merge point where eastbound traffic from League City and Dickinson feeds onto the interstate. The corridor has seen its share of incidents over the years, particularly during off-peak hours when reduced visibility and lighter traffic can create dangerous conditions.
As of the last report, the incident remained active, with northbound lanes affected. Overnight travelers heading toward Houston or points beyond should monitor traffic conditions closely before departing. The early morning darkness adds complexity to cleanup and recovery efforts at the scene. Drivers who must use this stretch should be prepared for sudden slowdowns and allow extra travel time through the area.
The month leading up to this incident brought 2 crashes to this location.
The 9 weeks since this incident have brought 8 more crashes here. 8 of those were classified as major.
A cluster of those crashes happened within roughly two weeks.
Updated through May 11, 2026.
IH-45 Northbound at FM-1764/Emmett F Lowry Expy in Galveston County
Galveston County, Texas
This report was produced by LTA's editor-designed production system under the executive editorial direction of Dennis R. Mundy, Executive Editor. The system combines our proprietary data pipeline with AI-assisted drafting to deliver verified incident coverage to LTA's editorial standards.