7 Killed, 30 Injured in Massive I-55 "Super Fog" Pile-up

Photo byGerald Herbert/AP

In ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH, Louisiana, a catastrophic 25+ vehicle pileup caused by hazardous dense fog combined with smoke has resulted in numerous injuries and 2 fatalities. The pile-up occurred Monday morning as drivers were commuting in smokey and hazardous conditions.

As reported by Rawsalerts, "Currently, Numerous emergency personnel and other authorities are on the scene to a significant vehicle pileup occurring between Ruddock and Manchac Louisiana The incident has taken place north and south on Interstate 55 in both directions. According to first responders they have indicated that approximately 25+ vehicles have been involved, and two individuals have died with 30 others have suffered different levels of injuries. This was caused by the Dense fog along with a marsh fire that created hazardous driving conditions."

According to St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff Mike Tregre, the fatalities and injuries Monday along I-55 west of New Orleans between Ruddock and Manchac were the results of around 150 individual motor vehicle collisions.

As of Monday afternoon, 7 fatalities, according to Tregre, had been confirmed.

According to Tregre, three 18-wheel trucks crashed in the northbound lanes and were entirely engulfed in flames. There were two reported multi-car pileups in the southbound lanes, one of which was also in flames.

Photo byLouisiana State Police / Facebook

One vehicle was driven over the the highway a barrier, according to Tregre, but everyone inside "appears to be fine." All first responders are on foot since the area is "completely gridlocked," according to Tregre, following the crashes. Rescue operations, he added, "will take a while."

Photo byLouisiana State Police / Facebook

The "super fog," which was extraordinarily thick, was brought on by the combination of fog and smoke from adjacent fires. According to the National Weather Service, super fog is a dense fog that forms under wet, smokey conditions and can reduce visibility to less than 10 feet. Since the summer, Louisiana has struggled with unprecedented wildfires, sweltering heat, and an extended drought. 62% of the state is experiencing exceptional drought, the worst category the US Drought Monitor tracks. The city of New Orleans said in a statement on Monday that it is keeping an eye on an active fire that is raging underground in wooded wetlands between the Michoud Canal and the Bayou Sauvage National Urban Wildlife Refuge.

The city, citing the weather service, stated that while patches of dense fog would be possible, they won't be as prevalent as they were on Monday.

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