SH-99 northbound crash near Bellaire; 11 major incidents in a year

Rain-slicked pavement on northbound SH-99 at Bellaire Boulevard in Richmond brought traffic to a crawl Wednesday afternoon when a major accident closed lanes around 12:37 PM on May 27.

The crash hit during off-peak hours, but the wet conditions and moderate rain at the time created hazardous driving. TxDOT reports wet conditions contributed to over 14,000 Texas crashes in the most recent annual reporting period — a reminder of how quickly rain can turn a routine drive into a backup.

Northbound SH-99 is moving again, though delays persisted through the afternoon as crews cleared the scene. The exact lane count and duration of full closure weren't immediately specified, but this intersection has a troubling history. According to LTA data, this location has logged 11 major incidents over the past 12 months, with 7 of those occurring just in the past 90 days. In the last 30 days alone, 3 of the 4 crashes at this intersection were major.

The timing is notable: while this location sees crashes year-round, 75 percent of incidents here occur during off-peak hours — meaning rush hour isn't the primary danger window. Accidents are the dominant incident type at this spot, suggesting a pattern beyond typical commute congestion.

Fort Bend County as a whole recorded 787 incidents over the past 30 days with no fatalities, placing this particular intersection in the upper tier for repeat incident activity countywide.

If you're heading northbound on 99 near Bellaire, expect residual delays as crews finish cleanup. Stay alert if rain continues — visibility and traction will remain compromised.

**Update (8:40 PM CT):** The major crash at Nb Sh 99 At Bellaire Blvd, Richmond, TX, first reported at 12:37 PM, has cleared after more than 8 hours. All lanes have reopened and normal traffic flow has resumed in the area.