Man Dies Hydroplaning, Crashing Into Tree on Katy Freeway Near Mason

A man died early Tuesday morning after his vehicle hydroplaned on a large puddle while exiting I-10 westbound onto the Mason Road exit on the Katy Freeway feeder in west Harris County, resulting in a crash into a tree. The driver, who was in a Dodge Challenger, lost control, was extricated from the vehicle by emergency personnel, and was pronounced dead at the scene. A female passenger survived and was hospitalized in stable condition. Authorities cited heavy rain and hazardous driving conditions as contributing factors, with warnings in place during the severe storms that swept through the Houston area. Sgt. B. Bondurant of the Harris County Sheriff's Office advised drivers to reduce speed and maintain a straight course when encountering water on the road to avoid hydroplaning. The incident caused the closure of the Katy Freeway feeder at Mason Road for several hours overnight while investigations and cleanup took place.