19-Year-Old Arrested After Alleged 130 MPH Road Rage Incident on I-45 in Montgomery County

MAGNOLIA, TX -- On May 24, 2026, at approximately 9:00 PM, the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office received multiple calls regarding a red Mustang with distinctive purple taillights racing and harassing other motorists on FM 1488 in Magnolia. Callers reported that the driver's aggressive behavior escalated into a road rage incident where the vehicle came to a complete stop, effectively blocking traffic on the busy roadway.

A Montgomery County Sheriff's Office Mustang unit spotted the suspect vehicle as it transitioned onto Interstate 45. Deputies observed the red Mustang accelerate rapidly into moderate traffic and illegally pass other vehicles using the left shoulder, which kicked up debris onto surrounding cars. The vehicle continued to accelerate, reaching dangerous speeds of approximately 130 mph.

Deputies successfully initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle and identified the driver as 19-year-old Rhyder Tettleton. Tettleton was arrested and charged with Racing on a Highway. Under Texas Transportation Code Section 545.420, only one vehicle is required to satisfy the legal statute for racing on a highway, and the law further permits the seizure of vehicles involved in racing if specific criteria are met.

The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office maintains a zero-tolerance policy for road rage and street racing. Deputies will continue to strictly enforce and prosecute these dangerous offenses, as excessive speed remains a leading contributor to serious injury and fatal crashes in our community.