State Police says at least seven dead, more than 25 people injured and at least 158 vehicles were involved in Monday morning’s massive pileup on Interstate 55 in Saint John the Baptist Parish. Trooper Kate Stegall says it’s an unprecedented event.
“We have had numerous pile ups similar to this, I don’t think there has been any that I am aware of or anyone with the troop has spoken to, with this amount of vehicles,” said Stegall.
Stegall says the final few damaged vehicles were removed from the elevated highway this morning.
“That area where the tanker was on fire and there’s a large quantity of vehicles that burned that was the last area to be analyzed and cleaned up,” said Stegall.
I-55 remains closed as the state department of transportation has to inspect the bridge for any deficiencies.
“We’ll be looking for any shifts in the deck, cracks falling, we’ll look at the guardrails, I understand there are some signs that maybe damaged and make a determination if the road is safe to re-open,” said DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett.
With I-55 closed, it will make it more difficult for people living in the Hammond area or eastern Livingston Parish to get to and from areas south of Lake Pontchartrain. How long the interstate will remain closed is unknown, but Mallett says a thorough inspection must be done.
“They are not being pushed for speed, they want to get their bridge inspection done properly,” said Stegall.
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