Fog leads to a multivehicle crash on Pontchartrain Causeway, Louisiana
Foggy conditions on the Pontchartrain Causeway in Louisiana led to a massive multi-vehicle pileup involving 40 – 50 vehicles on Tuesday morning, December 17, 2024, injuring 33 people and shutting down the bridge for hours.
Image credit: 11KHOU
Approximately 40 – 50 vehicles were involved in a large multi-vehicle crash on the Pontchartrain Causeway in Louisiana, triggered by fog on Tuesday morning. The bridge was closed on both sides at 08:30 local time (LT) as heavy fog enveloped the area.
There were six crashes—two on the southbound span and four on the northbound span—according to Carlton Dufrechou, the general manager of the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway. Thirty-three people were hospitalized, according to St. Tammany Fire District #4. Most injuries were minor, and none were life-threatening.
A Marine Dense Fog Advisory was in effect until 09:00. The National Weather Service in New Orleans reported that visibility was reduced to less than 1.6 km (1 mile) over parts of the lake, including the bridge.
“It was a domino effect,” said Gary Cassard, one of the people stranded on the bridge after the crash. “The fog was so thick you couldn’t see a block ahead. I saw multiple cars, including an 18-wheeler, collide and heard what sounded like explosions behind me.” Cassard, who was near the 19 km (11.8-mile) marker, stated that at least one person was pulled from a wreck with a broken leg.
“This is a major undertaking. Most of the wrecks occurred between the 16 – 29 km (10 – 18-mile) markers,” said St. Tammany Parish PIO Michael Vinsanau. “Clearing the vehicles not involved in the wreck, along with those that require tow trucks, is a complex task. We’re managing two lanes over 40 km (25 miles), so this is not a light undertaking. It will take some time,” he added.
The northbound and southbound lanes of the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway reopened later on Tuesday. Motorists were advised to use alternate routes: I-10 East to the Twin Span or I-10 West to I-55 North.
References:
1 Six crashes on Causeway Bridge involve 40+ vehicles, leave 33 injured – Fox 8 – December 17, 2024
2 Causeway north and south lanes re-opened after large multi-vehicle crash – 4WWL – December 17, 2024
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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