NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Crashes along Interstate 10 in New Orleans East left one person dead and sent several others to hospitals, according to the New Orleans Police Department.
Surrounding fog and smoke early Tuesday morning on Nov. 7 caused low to zero visibility for drivers.
According to NOPD officers, around 5 a.m. they were called to the scene of a crash on the interstate near Irish Bayou. When they arrived, unaware of the fog, officers discovered multiple crashes on the bridge involving 11 vehicles.
Officers say there were three separate crashes in the eastbound lane involving five vehicles with one being fatal. Two additional crashes were reported between a motorcycle and vehicle and two other vehicles.
On the westbound side of the bridge, NOPD officers stated there was one crash involving four vehicles including an overturned 18-wheeler.
Officers report a total of eight people injured as a result of the crash.
As of 1:15 p.m., all I-10 eastbound lanes and the left and middle lanes of I-10 westbound at the Irish Bayou exit have been re-opened. The right lane remains closed as crews continue to clean up the roadways.
“We are asking for assistance from the public that, in the future, when we run into heavy fog, like today that was so dense where visibility was very poor, which led to these crashes, to call us so we can try to slow traffic down,” said NOPD officers.
If you find yourself driving throught the fog, traffic officials advise you not to turn on high beams as they will cause a glare, making it more difficult to see.
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