Death toll in Louisiana interstate pile-up climbs to 8; all vehicles removed from road

MANCHAC, La. (WVUE/Gray News) - Louisiana State Police said Tuesday one of the victims in Monday’s fiery crash in dense fog on a stretch of interstate has died at the hospital, bringing the total number of fatalities up to eight.

WVUE reports police also increased the count of vehicles involved from 158 to 168, and the number of injured persons now stands at 63.

All of the vehicles have been removed from the elevated portion of Interstate 55 in Manchac. A Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development investigation into the road’s integrity is underway. A more comprehensive inspection will take place once the surface of the bridge is cleared of debris, diesel, and other chemicals.

Drone video showed significant damage to the southbound deck. LSP says bridge inspectors identified multiple areas requiring repairs.

Just before 1 p.m. Tuesday, northbound traffic was allowed to travel on the elevated portion of I-55 to the Ruddock exit where traffic will be diverted to the low road. Southbound traffic will be diverted to the low road at the Ruddock entrance ramp where you can enter the elevated portion of I-55.

First responders worked into the night Monday looking for victims, the smell of burnt wreckage still heavy in the air.

Vehicles were crushed, piled atop each other and engulfed by flames. Some people got out of their vehicles and stood on the side of the road or on the roofs of their cars looking in disbelief at the disaster, while others cried out for help.

“Everybody had to run and get out their car so fast, because the more and more you sat there, the more and more cars just kept hitting everybody,” said Kylie Cuevas.

The interstate remains closed in both directions Tuesday near Ruddock and Manchac. Drivers are advised to use an alternate route.

“It felt like it was a very long time that we were kind of holding our breath and holding each other’s hands just waiting for someone to plow into the back of us. I’m not sure exactly how long it was but we just watched in my rear view ... I did see a nurse running out to help people as well,” said driver Erica Glory.

Gov. John Bel Edwards asked for prayers “for those hurt and killed” on Monday and issued a call for blood donors to replenish dwindling supplies.

School buses were summoned to transport stranded motorists from the accident sites. At midday, state police told reporters at the scene that one vehicle went over the highway guardrail and into the water, but the driver escaped unharmed.

The National Weather Service said there were multiple wetland fires in the region. Smoke from the fires mixed with fog to create a “superfog.”

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