UPDATE – ROADWAY REOPENED & SUSPECTED INTOXICATED DRIVER ARRESTED
The Gulf Freeway southbound service road at Scarsdale Boulevard has reopened, and all lanes and the ramp to Scarsdale Boulevard are now open following repairs to the damaged utility pole.
The overnight crash that caused the roadway closure and power outage resulted in a DWI arrest.
At approximately 11:54 p.m., a Harris County Constable Precinct 2 deputy was conducting an unrelated traffic stop when a sudden power outage affected streetlights, nearby businesses, and the surrounding neighborhood.
While checking the area, the deputy located a 2025 Ford F-150 with significant front-end damage after it struck a utility pole along the Gulf Freeway southbound service road. The impact dislodged the pole and caused a major power outage in the surrounding area.
During the investigation, the driver, Jose Edgardo Vasquez, reportedly admitted to consuming alcohol prior to driving and displayed multiple signs of possible intoxication. Vasquez declined to perform Standardized Field Sobriety Tests and declined to voluntarily provide a breath or blood specimen.
Based on the investigation, Vasquez was arrested and charged with Driving While Intoxicated. A search warrant was subsequently obtained for a blood specimen.
We appreciate the crews who worked through the morning to replace the damaged pole and safely reopen the roadway. 🚔🚧
Please remember: impaired driving can have consequences far beyond an arrest. If you drink, make a plan for a safe ride home.
Summary
The Gulf Freeway southbound service road at Scarsdale Boulevard has reopened following repairs to a utility pole damaged in an overnight crash. The closure stemmed from an incident around 11:54 p.m. when a Harris County Constable Precinct 2 deputy, conducting a traffic stop, noted a sudden power outage affecting streetlights and nearby businesses.
The deputy discovered a 2025 Ford F-150 with considerable front-end damage after it struck the utility pole, leading to the power outage. The driver, identified as Jose Edgardo Vasquez, admitted to consuming alcohol before driving and showed signs of intoxication. He refused to undergo Standardized Field Sobriety Tests and declined to provide breath or blood samples voluntarily.
Vasquez was arrested and charged with Driving While Intoxicated. A search warrant was obtained subsequently for a blood specimen. Road crews worked through the night to restore service and safely reopen the roadway.