I-45 southbound crash at FM-1488; 6 major incidents in 30 days

A major crash on I-45 southbound at FM-1488 brought traffic to a standstill Friday morning around 5:18 AM. The incident occurred in Montgomery County, just as the earliest commuters were hitting the road.

This stretch of I-45 is running hot. According to LTA data, six major crashes have hit this exact location in the past 30 days alone — all of them rated major severity. Over the past 12 months, that count reaches ten major incidents. The frequency here is worth paying attention to if you're driving this corridor.

Responding officers worked to clear the scene. The road was heavily impacted during the immediate aftermath, with significant delays backing up through the early morning. If you were heading south on I-45 toward Houston, expect delays through the 5 and 6 AM hours while crews worked the incident.

For Friday morning commuters, Hardy Toll Road, SH-249 to the northwest, or local routes via Airline Drive offer workable alternatives if you can avoid I-45 in this zone. Conditions were clear at the time of the crash — broken clouds and 75 degrees — so weather wasn't a factor.

The data here tells the story. Six incidents in 30 days at a single freeway location represents sustained pressure on this corridor. Per TxDOT CRIS public crash records, this location has logged one crash since January 2020, a baseline that contrasts sharply with the recent spike LTA is documenting in real time.

Check current conditions before you head out. Traffic should begin moving as the scene clears, but expect residual congestion through the morning rush.

**Update (6:35 AM CT):** The major crash at IH-45 Southbound at FM-1488 in Montgomery County, first reported at 5:18 AM, has cleared after approximately 1 hour and 17 minutes. All lanes have reopened and normal traffic flow has resumed in the area.