Hay load spill on Southwest Freeway near SH 288 shuts lanes, injures officer, disrupts commute
Southbound U.S. 59 lanes near SH 288 restricted after overnight overpass strike
A spill of hay bales on the Southwest Freeway created major traffic delays near downtown Houston Monday after an oversized truck struck an overpass and dropped its load onto the roadway. The incident unfolded on the southbound lanes of U.S. 59 (Interstate 69) at the interchange with State Highway 288, a heavily traveled junction that funnels commuters between the Southwest Freeway, Midtown, and central Houston.
Authorities reported the initial crash occurred shortly after midnight on February 16, 2026, when the truck hit the overpass and the hay fell across multiple lanes. Video from the scene showed large quantities of hay scattered over a stretch of freeway, prompting a shutdown of oncoming traffic and a prolonged cleanup operation.
Secondary crash during cleanup sends an officer to the hospital
While the roadway was closed and officers were working behind barricades, a second crash occurred at about 3 a.m. when a driver entered the restricted area and struck a marked patrol vehicle. A Houston police officer inside the patrol unit suffered minor injuries and was transported to Memorial Hermann as a precaution, officials said.
Early reports from the scene described the second driver as potentially impaired. Later reporting indicated investigators did not determine impairment and the driver ultimately received a moving citation. The circumstances surrounding how the vehicle bypassed the closure remained under investigation.
Why hay spills can take hours to clear
Even when the spilled material is not classified as hazardous, a hay load can be difficult to remove quickly. Bales and loose hay can spread across lanes, become embedded in roadway seams, and require repeated passes by crews to reduce the risk of debris being kicked up by traffic. Officials at the scene indicated that specialized heavy equipment was needed to pick up and remove the load.
Cleanup involved coordination between law enforcement and the Texas Department of Transportation, which oversees incident response and lane restoration on state highways.
Commuter impact centered on a key downtown approach
The closure and lane restrictions triggered extensive backups during the morning commute. Traffic tracking reports showed delays exceeding an hour as drivers approached the SH 288 split from the southwest.
Location: Southbound U.S. 59 at SH 288 near downtown Houston
Primary event: Truck struck an overpass and spilled a hay load across lanes
Secondary event: Vehicle entered the closure area and struck a police unit, injuring an officer
Motorists were urged to expect extended delays in the area while crews worked to clear debris and reopen lanes safely.
By late morning, officials reported the roadway was cleared and lanes were reopened, restoring normal access through the interchange.