Published: May 20, 2008 12:43 am            

Conroe man holds on after rollover accident

A 28-year-old Conroe man injured in a one-car rollover accident on the southbound side of Interstate 45 Sunday was expected to survive as of Monday afternoon.

According to Department of Public Safety Trooper Jack Dean, driver Dennis McGraw — who was possibly under the influence of alcohol when his Chevrolet Malibu crossed the interstate and cable barrier, landing in the grass median — was expected to survive despite several life-threatening injuries.

At the scene, McGraw was in critical condition and was airlifted by Lifeflight to Memorial Herman Hospital, but no one else was involved in the accident.

“At about 2:30 p.m. Sunday, McGraw was traveling on the southbound side of the freeway, passing traffic on the right shoulder of the road near mile post 113,” Dean said. “He struck a blown out tire and was shot back across both lanes of traffic, at which point his vehicle went airborne and took out eight center median poles.

“He rolled three times altogether, coming to rest with the bottom of his vehicle facing up.”

Dean said McGraw received several life-threatening injuries during the accident, including a serious head laceration, and he was in critical condition when he was airlifted by Lifeflight from the accident.

“McGraw was not wearing his seat belt at the time of the accident, and I believe that alcohol was involved,” Dean said. “He was entrapped in the vehicle and had to be extracted by the Jaws of Life.”

Additionally, McGraw was driving without a driver’s license, Dean said.

“No other cars were involved in the accident, and no one else was hurt,” Dean said. “However, both the northbound and southbound lanes were closed for a short period of time.”

Department of Public Safety Trooper Craig Price assisted Dean. The Huntsville-Walker County EMS, Huntsville Fire Department and the Walker County Sheriff’s Department responded to the scene.

        

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