MANCHAC, La. – A series of at least three “crash clusters” on I-55 led to the death of seven people, injuries to 63 others, and damage to 168 vehicles due to extremely dense fog that reduced visibility to near zero. The Louisiana State Police gave this update on Tuesday evening, stating that there had been a total of seven fatalities after a forensic investigation.
The hazardous driving conditions resulted in a hazardous material-carrying tanker truck catching fire and necessitating a comprehensive structural inspection of the bridge near Manchac. Many motorists had to exit and take alternate routes as parts of I-55 and I-10 were temporarily closed to allow for emergency response efforts.
In a midday briefing, State Police spokesperson Kate Stegall reported that the precise number of crashes and vehicles involved in the accidents was not yet clear. She also mentioned that first responders, in addition to State Troopers, received assistance from various law enforcement agencies in the area.
The mixture of smoke and fog, known as Super Fog, contributed to the extremely low visibility, creating a perilous situation for commuters. Governor John Bel Edwards urged residents to exercise extreme caution while traveling in affected areas and offered his condolences to those impacted by the tragic crash.
The dense fog and subsequent marsh fire led to the closure of the Causeway in both directions, causing significant delays and disrupting travel for many commuters. In New Orleans East, visibility was also compromised due to the effects of the marsh fire.
Bailey Scott, an eyewitness to the series of crashes, described her harrowing experience and the challenges faced by first responders due to the hazardous conditions. She emphasized the need for caution and expressed gratitude for their safety during the chaotic events.
Social media videos and images showed the extent of the visibility challenges and the aftermath of the crashes, providing insight into the severity of the situation. Gov. Edwards encouraged blood donations to support the medical response efforts in caring for the wounded and expressed gratitude to the first responders for their dedicated efforts.