HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A series of crashes, including one that turned deadly, had the Eastex Freeway closed near the North Loop overnight, according to the Houston Police Department.

HPD said the ramp from the Eastex Freeway outbound lanes at the North Loop was initially closed when an 18-wheeler carrying 30,000 pounds of honey crashed and lost its load.

Crews worked for hours to clear the scene, but about four hours later, as police were blocking the lanes in that area, a pickup truck crashed into an HPD patrol vehicle.