Man decides to stop traffic on packed motorway to propose to girlfriend, faces charges for obstruction

‘When you shut down one of the biggest and busiest freeways in the entire country and you ask yiur girl if she wants to marry you, that moment is priceless’

Advocacy groups say when minors marry older adults they engage in relationships that would otherwise amount to statutory rape (Rex Features)

A newly-engaged man is facing charges after he stopped traffic on a busy motorway in Texas to propose to his girlfriend.

Vidal Valldares ground traffic to a halt on Sunday when he popped the question. According to the Houston Chronicle, he was aided by friends who stood in front of lanes of traffic while he proposed to Michelle Wycoff, who accepted.

Mr Valldares posted a picture of the proposal online, with the message: “When you shut down one of the biggest and busiest freeways in the entire country (I45) and you ask your girl if she wants to marry you, that moment is priceless love you @mlwycoff #shesaidyes”.

Speaking to the newspaper, Mr Valldares said he “just wanted to do something different,” and that the highway was significant to the couple as it was where they had taken a motorcycle ride on their second date.

Family members claimed the proposal had stopped traffic for approximately 35 seconds.

Just saw someone post a dangerous marriage proposal, in where he and his friends dangerously stop ALL traffic on I-45, they could have hurt many others.

But Click2Houston reports Mr Valldares will now face a charge of obstructing a highway for his stunt on the I45, according to the Harris County District Attorney’s office.

Despite the couple’s joy at their engagement and the support from their friends, many who were on the highway were unimpressed by their actions.

“Not in the middle of the highway, anywhere but there,” Desmond Banks told the news outlet. “It’s dangerous. Too many cars out on 45,” while another person posted: “I’m glad no one got injured, but I do hope there’s enough photo evidence to get him fined for pulling this stunt”.