A major crash closed I-45 southbound at Rayford Road/Sawdust Road early Monday morning, backing up traffic in the northbound direction and forcing commuters onto alternate routes around 3:36 AM on July 20, 2026.
This stretch of I-45 has become one of the region's most volatile corridors. According to LocalTrafficAccidents.com data, 356 incidents occurred here in the past 30 days—315 of them major crashes. That's an average of more than 11 significant incidents per day at this single location.
The early-morning timing offered some relief from the worst congestion, but the corridor's history underscores the real risk drivers face here around the clock. LTA data shows crashes occur at varied times throughout the day, though the busiest hour runs from 4 to 5 PM, when 46 crashes were recorded in the past month. Mondays are the most active days at this location, with 82 incidents recorded over the past 90 days on that day alone.
Looking at a broader window, state crash records reveal the scope of the problem. According to TxDOT CRIS public crash records, 490 crashes have occurred within about a quarter-mile of this exact location since January 2020—including three fatalities. The most common contributing factor recorded by investigating officers: "Failed To Control Speed," cited in 169 crashes since 2020. Over the same period, a hit-and-run rate of 10.6 percent (105 of 994 vehicles involved) suggests drivers are sometimes fleeing the scene.
Responding officers worked to clear the roadway, but delays rippled through the corridor during the overnight hours. Drivers heading southbound should expect extended travel times until the incident clears completely.
If you're heading that direction, the Hardy Toll Road, SH-249 to the northwest, or local routes via Airline Drive offer ways around the backup. Check real-time conditions before committing to your route—this corridor moves unpredictably even on its better days.
We'll update this story as crews clear the scene and traffic flow improves. For live incident tracking across the region, monitor LTA real-time data.
IH-45 Southbound at Rayford Rd/Sawdust Rd
Harris 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.