New Orleans, Louisiana – A “superfog” caused by a combination of heavy smoke from marsh fires and dense fog resulted in a horrific series of multiple massive car crashes on Monday morning. The devastating crashes involving a total of 158 vehicles led to the loss of at least seven lives, with 25 individuals sustaining injuries. The number of fatalities is feared to rise as authorities continue to clear the crash scenes and search for victims, as reported by Louisiana State Police.
Governor John Bel Edwards made a plea for blood donors and asked for prayers for those affected by the tragic events. The aftermath of the wrecks on Interstate 55 near New Orleans depicted a scene resembling apocalyptic destruction, with scorched and mangled cars stretched along the road. The images showed vehicles crushed, rammed underneath each other, and some even engulfed in flames. Bystanders and survivors alike were left in shock and disbelief at the disastrous scene.
Christopher Coll, a witness to one of the pileups, recounted how chaos unfolded as an F-250 truck drove onto his work trailer, causing him to feel the impact of crashing cars and popping tires. Coll managed to escape through the passenger door and assisted others, pulling one person out through a car window. Another survivor, Clarencia Patterson Reed, found herself in a series of collisions as she attempted to drive to Manchac. Reed’s car was struck from behind and on the side by two other vehicles amidst the chaos.
The Louisiana State Police shared aerial photos on social media displaying the extensive damage caused by the crashes, with numerous vehicles scattered across both northbound and southbound lanes of the elevated interstate. State troopers were vigorously working to investigate the causes of the crashes and coordinate with the transportation department for necessary inspections. As a result of the lack of visibility, traffic congestion extended for miles on I-55, leading to closures on parts of I-10 and the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway.
Amidst the confusion and chaos, school buses were called in to assist stranded motorists from the accident sites. The hazardous situation was further complicated by a tanker truck carrying a dangerous liquid, which had to be off-loaded before officials could assess the scene thoroughly. The National Weather Service attributed the “superfog” to a mix of wetland fires in the region, causing visibility issues. Although the fog eventually lifted, the impact of the marsh fires and resulting smoke lingered, prompting several schools in New Orleans to announce cancellations or delayed openings due to the hazardous conditions.