3:15 PM UPDATE:
According to the arrest affidavit obtained by KRIS 6 News, officers found an open 200-milliliter bottle of Jose Cuervo Margarita water flavor in Erick Vela's vehicle. The bottle was half consumed and showing condensation.
Upon making contact with Vela, officers said his eyes appeared to be bloodshot red and glassy, and he spoke with a slurred speech and a thick tongue. When police asked Vela, of Robstown, if he had recently consumed any alcohol in the night or in the morning, he denied it. Officers explained why they were questioning him, and Vela advised "he was fine".
10:23 AM UPDATE:
A 34-year-old man was arrested after driving the wrong way on IH-37 northbound while intoxicated, causing a four-vehicle crash.
Police say they were called to the 12500 block of IH-37 northbound on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at 5:06 a.m. to investigate a major traffic crash involving a wrong-way driver.
"Officers arrived and located a multi-vehicle crash involving four vehicles, including a tractor-trailer. Officers determined that the driver of a black pickup was traveling southbound on IH-37 in the northbound lanes of travel and caused the crash," stated CCPD on its blotter page.
Three people were transferred to the hospital with unknown injuries.
Officials say a HAZMAT crew closed the highway to clean up diesel fuel that spilled as a result of the crash.
"Officers determined that the wrong-way driver, 34-year-old Erick Vela, displayed signs of intoxication, and he was arrested for driving while intoxicated," added CCPD.
Vela was transported to the City Detention Center for booking after he was medically cleared from a local hospital.
ORIGINAL:
The Corpus Christi Police Department is at the scene of a major vehicle crash on IH-37 northbound at Callicoate.
According to CCPD, the highway is shut down while officers work to clear the scene.
"Northbound traffic is being diverted to exit 13B. Motorists are encouraged to seek an alternate route and expect delays," stated CCPD on its social media page.
This is a developing story; check back with KRIS 6 News for more updates.
