I-45 southbound major crash at FM 2351 ramp; 26 incidents in 30 days

A major motor vehicle incident brought traffic to a crawl on the I-45 southbound entrance ramp at FM 2351 near Clear Lake City on Monday, June 15, around 11:55 AM. Moderate rain was falling at the time, and responding officers worked to clear the wreckage and reopen the affected lanes.

This crash arrives during an extended pattern of incidents at this location. According to LTA data, the I-45 southbound at FM 2351 has recorded 26 incidents over the past 30 days — 19 of them major. In the wider 90-day window, the corridor has seen 86 total incidents, with 51 classified as major. The volume underscores how frequently drivers encounter disruption at this ramp entrance.

What makes this location particularly noteworthy isn't its rush-hour character. Most crashes here fall outside the weekday commute peaks. The single busiest hour is noon to 1 PM — the time window in which today's crash occurred — and data shows crashes cluster across all hours of the day, not compressed into a traditional morning or evening surge. Over the past 90 days, Thursdays have been the highest-incident day at this location, with 16 crashes recorded.

Weather conditions add another layer of context. Moderate rain was present when today's crash happened, which aligns with broader Texas traffic patterns. TxDOT reports wet conditions contributed to over 14,000 Texas crashes in the most recent annual reporting period. Wet pavement reduces tire grip and extends stopping distances — conditions worth noting as drivers navigate the region.

State crash records from the Texas Department of Transportation document a longer arc at this corridor. Per TxDOT CRIS public crash records, this stretch has experienced 625 crashes since January 2020 — including 3 fatal crashes. Contributing factors as recorded by investigating officers show "Failed To Control Speed" cited in 263 of those crashes, the most common factor by a significant margin. Hit-and-run incidents account for 11.2% of the involved units — 142 of the 1,273 vehicles documented across the period.

Clear Lake City commuters using this ramp — whether merging from FM 2351 or exiting from the freeway — should expect residual delays as crews clear the scene and restore normal traffic flow. Check local updates before departing if you use this corridor regularly. If an alternate route to your destination is available, taking it now would help avoid the backup while this incident is being resolved.