At least seven people have died this past Monday after a ‘super fog’ caused several chain accidents on Interstate 55, near New Orleans. According to the National Weather Service, the mixture of morning fog along with the cloud of smoke from the forest fires near the Bayou Sauvage Ridge, which have remained active since July 29, have given rise to a ‘super fog’ that has left a long line of burning cars, trucks and tractors.
It is estimated that the accident involved 158 vehicles and left a total of 25 people injured, although, according to the Louisiana State Police, it is possible that more fatalities could be found. First aid teams are still working to find all the injured and deceased.
Authorities have stated that 25 people were taken to hospital with minor to serious injuries, in addition to others who sought medical help on their own. School buses were also requested to transport motorists affected by the accident. Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards has called on blood donors to replenish supplies and respond to the medical needs of the injured.
The Louisiana State Police have shared aerial photos of the crash area on their Facebook page showing a chain of crashed vehicles. The accident has also left several pieces of debris in the north and south directions of the elevated interstate that passes over swamps and open water between lakes Pontchartrain and Maurepas. Emergency crews are still working to clear the lanes.
Vehicles were crushed, piled on top of each other and some were even engulfed in flames. Some people managed to get out of their vehicles and stayed on the shoulder or on the roof of their cars while calling for help. At noon, state police confirmed that a vehicle had gone over the highway guardrail and into the water, but that the driver was unharmed.
Clarencia Patterson explains that he was driving with his wife and niece and saw how some people made signs with their hands for him to stop. When she did so, her car was struck from behind and on the side by two other vehicles, she told The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate. “All you could hear was crashing,” Reed said. Reed was able to get out of his car, but his wife was trapped inside and she was injured in the leg and side.
Another driver, Christopher Coll, said he was already braking when a pickup truck climbed on top of his work trailer and hit him. He states that he was eventually able to kick open the passenger door to escape and was then able to help a person out the car window.
As of Monday afternoon, state police were still working to “notify families, investigate the exact causes of the accidents.” Additionally, they will coordinate with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) to inspect the condition of the bridge and detect possible deficiencies.
