Deputies Stop Wrong-Way Freeway Driver

Feb. 25, 2025 — Two Harris County Sheriff’s Office deputies are recovering from minor injuries they suffered early Tuesday morning after a wrong-way driver on Interstate 10 crashed into their patrol car near Baytown.

Deputies Joshua Blair and Louie Ayala were responding to a report of a wrong-way driver shortly after 1:30 a.m. when they spotted the oncoming vehicle through the heavy fog. The vehicle was heading westbound in the eastbound lanes of the 18000 block of the East Freeway. The deputies slowed as they neared the vehicle in an attempt to guide the driver to a stop, but the driver continued forward and crashed head-on into the patrol car.

The deputies managed to get out of their crashed patrol car and check on the other driver, later identified as Nathan Arevalo, 23. Medical personnel responded and determined that none of those involved suffered serious injuries. Arevalo was arrested on a charge of driving while intoxicated.

Deputy Blair joined the Sheriff’s Office in 2018 and is a field training officer. Deputy Ayala graduated from the Sheriff’s Office academy in December.