Ignoring Detour Signs: Over 200 Warnings and Tickets Issued to Big Truck Drivers on I-20

how interstate 20 detours are affecting truck drivers

At the center of Louisiana’s bustling highway network, a major detour is causing frustration and confusion. As the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) carries out important construction on Interstate 20, a key route for transport, truck drivers are facing a challenging situation. They’re not only trying to find their way on the road but also…

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Helicopter Lodged Underneath I-12 Overpass in Denham Springs

helicopter lodged under interstate

Trucker ticketed after wedging helicopter beneath I-12 overpass in Denham Springs. In a recent incident that unfolded beneath the I-12 overpass in Denham Springs, a trucker found himself facing a daunting challenge, and the community watched as he grappled with an unfortunate situation. This event serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of life…

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East Baton Rouge Officer Injured In the Line of Duty

officer injured in line of duty

In a moment of unforeseen circumstances, an East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office deputy found himself in harm’s way while on duty, serving our community. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks law enforcement officers face daily and the sacrifices they make to keep us safe. As reported by BRProud, the deputy…

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Transformative Project: College Drive Flyover Set to Improve Baton Rouge Commutes

College Drive Flyover

Addressing Longstanding Congestion In a bid to improve the daily commute experience for Baton Rouge residents, a transformative project, the College Drive Flyover, is on the horizon. This project promises significant changes to the current I-10 overpass, bringing much-needed relief to those exiting directly at College Drive. Eagerly Anticipated Relief The College Drive Flyover project…

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Tragedy Strikes on I-10: 18-Wheeler Catches Fire Near Vinton

18 wheeler catches fire

In a heart-wrenching incident that unfolded on September 17, 2023, tragedy struck on the I-10 West near Vinton, Louisiana, when an 18-wheeler caught fire, sending shockwaves through the community and leaving us all deeply moved. The Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys team extends our heartfelt sympathy to all those affected by this unfortunate event. Highway Havoc…

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Louisiana DOTD Embarks on Major I-20 Rehabilitation Project

interstate traffic

La. DOTD Addresses Critical Infrastructure Concerns In a move to address critical infrastructure concerns, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (La. DOTD) has recently announced the commencement of a significant rehabilitation project on Interstate 20 (I-20). This ambitious endeavor aims to improve the safety and quality of one of Louisiana’s crucial transportation arteries. Two-Year…

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18-Wheeler Fire Forces I-20 Shutdown

18-Wheeler Fire

In a harrowing incident, an 18-wheeler fire has brought Interstate 20 (I-20) to a standstill, leaving commuters and authorities grappling with the aftermath. This unexpected and tragic event has disrupted many lives, reminding us of the unpredictable nature of our daily routines. The Blaze on I-20 According to KTBS, the incident unfolded with a vehicular…

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Heightened Concerns for Louisiana as Wildfires Engulf the Region

wildfires in Louisiana

Smoky Haze Engulfs New Orleans Amidst Wildfires As wildfires continue to ravage parts of Louisiana, a pervasive smoky haze has settled over southeast Louisiana and its surroundings, raising concerns about air quality and health risks. Reports from WWLTV reveal that the smoke, carried by the wind, has resulted in hazy skies, affecting visibility and impacting…

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New Legislation Aims to Enhance Campus Safety Reporting and Accountability

university

Introducing the COREY Act: Fostering Transparency and Accountability in Higher Education In a significant move towards fostering greater transparency and accountability in higher education institutions, lawmakers have introduced a bill that mandates universities and colleges to report serious accidents occurring on their campuses. The bill, known as the College Operational Reporting of Emergencies Involving Teens…

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78-Year-Old Driver’s Chaotic Crash into Kenner Shopping Center

optical shop crash

In a heart-stopping incident that unfolded on August 8th, a quiet morning in Kenner turned into a chaotic scene as a 78-year-old man’s vehicle crashed into businesses at a local shopping center on W. Esplanade Avenue. The incident left witnesses shaken and businesses damaged, shedding light on the fragility of life and the strength of…

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Car Fire Incident on Eastbound Bonnet Carre Spillway

car fire incident

Incident Location In a sudden turn of events on Tuesday, August 9, a vehicle fire occurred on the eastbound lanes of the Bonnet Carre Spillway Bridge, prompting swift action from emergency crews and traffic authorities.  Smoke and Temporary Lane Closure  The incident, which took place at mile marker 217, sent plumes of black smoke into…

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Road Work Schedule for I-10/I-49 Interchange and Atchafalaya Basin Bridge

road work for I-10_I-49 Interchange

In the heart of Acadiana, a region known for its vibrant culture and bustling roadways, a temporary shift in travel patterns is on the horizon. The Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys team extends its empathy and insights to the community as we share the latest information about scheduled traffic closures between the I-10/I-49 interchange and the…

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Fiery Amazon Delivery Truck Causes Closure of I-110 in Downtown Baton Rouge

amazon truck fire

In a distressing incident that unfolded today, a blazing Amazon delivery truck brought traffic to a grinding halt on I-110 North in downtown Baton Rouge. The vehicle caught fire, causing a major disruption for commuters and passersby. As news of the incident spread, it became apparent that this was not just a traffic inconvenience but…

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Opelousas Moving Forward with Interstate Surveillance Cameras 

Interstate Surveillance Cameras

A Step Towards Safer Roads and Communities In an effort to enhance safety and security on its roadways, the city of Opelousas is taking a progressive step forward by implementing a new system of interstate surveillance cameras. The decision, driven by the need to address safety concerns and improve law enforcement capabilities, has been met…

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Tragedy Strikes Gulf of Mexico Platform: A Heartfelt Account

gas platform explosion in gulf of mexico

In a devastating incident that shook the Gulf of Mexico, a fire broke out on an offshore platform, resulting in the loss of lives, injuries, and the disappearance of a worker. The incident occurred in the early hours of Friday, leaving a deep impact on the region and affecting thousands of crude oil barrels. As…

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Traffic Issues on I-49 in Lafayette Due to Flipped 18-Wheeler

traffic issues from flipped 18-wheeler in Lafayette

Drivers in Lafayette experienced slowdowns on I-49 Southbound last Thursday afternoon due to a major crash involving three vehicles: a tractor-trailer, an SUV, and a truck. According to reporting by Hot 107.9, the crash happened around 4:30 pm near Pont Des Mouton Road outside of Lafayette. All of the vehicles were significantly damaged, but luckily…

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Interstate 10 Westbound Reopens After Long Closure Due to Heat Wave

I-10 W Heat Wave Closure

After a closure that lasted multiple hours and was caused by a serious accident, Interstate 10 westbound finally reopened near La. 415 on Thursday afternoon, relieving stranded drivers amid a heat wave. The closure, which occurred before noon on Thursday, forced drivers to take a detour from La. 415 North to U.S. 190 West, according…

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Louisiana Heat Wave Claims Lives

Louisiana Heat Wave Claims Lives, newspaper front page about a heat wave

Louisiana, like the rest of the South, has been experiencing an extreme heat wave in the past weeks. The heat has been so extreme, in fact, that 2 Louisianans have died as a result, as well as 13 Texans and untold others, according to the American Press. Among the casualties: one Shreveport man who passed…

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Pointe Coupee Ambulance Crash

Pointe Coupee Ambulance Crash

Late Tuesday morning in Pointe Coupee Parish, two people were killed when the ambulance they were in collided head-on with a semi truck, WBRZ reports. The tragedy occurred on LA-1 at its intersection with Deaton Lane in Morganza. It’s currently unknown what caused the wreck between the Acadian ambulance and Coca-Cola delivery truck on June…

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Jacob’s Law to Enhance Offshore Worker Safety Takes Effect Soon

gavel and scale for law

After years of persistent advocacy, a bill aimed at strengthening safety regulations for offshore workers, also known as Jacob’s Law, is set to be fully implemented. The bill that requires location detector beacons on life jackets for offshore workers was signed into law by Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards. The legislation, named after Jacob Matt…

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A Widening I-12 Gives Covington Residents Much to Hope For

I-12 expansion in Covington

St. Tammany Parish traffic is legendarily bad. In fact, it’s so bad that over 20,000 residents belong to a Facebook group named “West St. Tammany Traffic and Donuts.” However, thanks to some big changes on I-12 near Covington, that group may have less to complain about. On a 3.5-mile section of the Interstate between U.S.…

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Remains of Four Men Recovered After Gulf of Mexico Helicopter Crash

helicopter crash in the gulf of mexico

In a tragic incident that unfolded in the Gulf of Mexico, the remains of four men have been brought onshore five days after a helicopter crash near an oil rig. Following the Thursday crash, the U.S. Coast Guard tirelessly devoted countless hours to combing the waters off Louisiana, relentlessly searching for the missing passengers. According…

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Driver Arrested After Truck Plows into Crowd Outside Tiger Tavern Daiquiris

truck driver crashes into crowd breaking front door

Friday, the night of June 16th, chaos erupted outside Tiger Tavern Daiquiris on Highway 44 as a driver recklessly backed their truck into a crowd of individuals. Witnesses were left in a state of shock as the front of the bar suffered significant damage. According to the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office, the suspect behind the…

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Evacuation Order Lifted After Fire at Southwest Louisiana Refining Company

Evac order lifted after fire in southwest LA

An evacuation order was lifted earlier today for residents near Calcasieu Refining, a company in southwest Louisiana. Believed to have been started by a lightning strike, the fire erupted at a chemical storage tank during a storm. Thankfully, the local authorities and several fire brigades took swift action, taming the blaze and ensuring safety for…

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Go Cart Accident Kills One in Shreveport

go-cart accident police lights

Tragedy struck in Shreveport on Sunday, May 29, 2023, when a man was pinned under a sedan in his go-kart and killed. KTBS reports that on a dimly lit section of the 3700 block of St. Vincent Avenue near Forest Park Cemetery, Shawn Williams was pinned under a sedan when his go-kart made a U-turn…

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Fatal Accident Involving 18-Wheeler Forces Closure of Northbound I-49

I-49 Closure for Fatal Truck Accident

A tragic truck accident unfolded on May 20th as an overturned 18-wheeler brought traffic to a standstill on I-49 Northbound near Pont Des Mouton. According to Lafayette Police, the catastrophic collision occurred when the massive commercial truck, traveling along I-49 N, struck an abandoned vehicle parked on the shoulder near East Butcher Switch Road. The…

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Opelousas Police Department Introduces Handheld Speed Cameras for Automated Speeding Citations

Opelousas Police Department sign

Louisiana drivers who are used to pushing the gas pedal may face the consequence of speeding tickets more often via mail delivery. Opelousas Police Department in Acadiana is currently training its officers to utilize cutting-edge technology to issue speeding violations without pulling over offending drivers. This innovative approach aims to enhance community safety and enable…

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Lanes on I-10 East on Atchafalaya Basin Bridge Reopened After Fatal Vehicle Fire

basin bridge closure

In a tragic car accident early this morning, one person lost their life in a vehicle fire that forced the closure of I-10 East on the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge. The Louisiana State Police have confirmed the fatality, although the victim’s identity remains undisclosed. The highway closure occurred shortly after midnight, as reported by the Louisiana…

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Fatal Two-Vehicle Crash on I-10 East Claims the Life of a Texas Man

police car lights on crash scene

In a tragic incident on May 11, 2023, a fatal two-vehicle crash occurred on Interstate 10 eastbound, resulting in the death of a man from Texas. The crash led to the closure of all lanes on I-10 Eastbound near LA-975, according to the Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD). At the time of this article,…

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DeSoto Parish Train-Truck Crash

DeSoto Parish Train -Truck Crash

On Wednesday, May 3, 2023, a person was taken to the Hospital after driving into the path of a train in south DeSoto Parish, Louisiana, reports KTBS. The collision happened at U.S.-171 and New Benson Road, south of Mansfield. The crash caused a UPS truck to flip onto its side, but thankfully only one injury…

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18-Wheeler Truck Rollover on I-12 Near Hammond

18-Wheeler Truck Rollover on I-12 Near Hammond

WBRZ reports that mid-Sunday morning, April 30, 2023, a tractor trailer overturned on Interstate 12 near Hammond. While it’s currently unknown if the crash impacted traffic patterns on the highway, we do know that the driver was able to walk away, albeit with minor injuries. While we can’t be certain what caused the driver to…

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BRPD still searching for second responsible for police-chase crash

black four door sedan crashed into a pole

Early last Friday morning, April 28, 2023, two people crashed their car after leading police on a high speed chase, reports WAFB. Of the two, one has been arrested so far; police are still searching for the other person involved. The chase happened after a vehicle burglary was reported, police followed the purported car, and…

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Truck Carrying Heavy Equipment Flips Along I-10 West

workers on flipped truck

Around 6 p.m. on April 20th, 2023, a tractor-trailer hauling a bulldozer and other construction equipment flipped on its side off I-10. The crash happened near the LA 415 exit, backing up traffic to the Mississippi River bridge. As of this writing, no injuries have been reported, but the crash caused a major slowdown in…

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18-Wheeler Overturned on I-12 Near Hammond, Causing Delays

overturned truck on I-12 near hammond

On April 11, 2023, near Hammond, an 18-wheeler overturned on an exit ramp roundabout on Interstate 12. Cleanup took several hours at the site, on the northern end of U.S. Highway 51, during which time the southbound traffic on that highway was detoured on I-12 to the I-55 interchange to New Orleans. At the time…

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Man Accused, Arrested of Causing Fatal I-20 Crash in 2020

deadly car accident in shreveport

According to booking information on the WPSO inmate roster, 61-year-old Rickey Darden has been arrested and jailed in Webster Parish. Darden has been accused of causing the 2020 crash that led to the death of Shreveport native Kim Cannon on I-20. According to previous reporting by KTAL news, Darden was allegedly operating a 2000 International…

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Driver Injured Following School Bus Crash on Hwy 478

school bus broken down on the side of the road

In the afternoon on Monday 13 March 2023, a Natchitoches Parish school bus and a passenger car collided on Highway 478 just west of I-49 outside of Natchitoches. Multiple agencies responded to the crash, including the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office, Louisiana State Police, Natchitoches Regional Medical Center EMS, and others. Along with the bus driver,…

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CPSO Issues Warrant for Driver That Caused Major Crash on I-49

wrecked cars shot at night time

KTAL reports that an arrest warrant was issued on February 24, 2023, for a Shreveport woman who allegedly caused a major crash on I-49, seriously injuring other drivers. 25-year-old Gorgette Riley is alleged to have caused a major crash involving herself and three other vehicles when she drove her car the wrong way on I-49…

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Louisiana Tree Service Crane Falls on House in Shreveport

Tree service worker cutting branches off tree while leaning too far over crane bucket

On Saturday, around 9 a.m., a Louisiana tree service company’s crane vehicle experienced a significant accident in Shreveport. The incident, which occurred at a residence on Bruce Avenue in Broadmoor, resulted in the crane toppling over and smashing into a nearby home, causing extensive damage to the property and power lines. The Shreveport Fire Department…

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Jack-Knifed 18-Wheeler Closes I-610 East for 6+ Hours

blurred image of a big rig driving on the highway

On Thursday, February 9th, an 18-wheeler jack-knifed on I-610 – closing a significant section of the interstate for 6+ hours, according to NOLA.com. The 18-wheeler truck crashed into the guardrail near the interstate merge with I-10. Unfortunately, this crash happened around 2:00 AM during inclement weather, so no injuries or causes of the crash were…

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I-10 East Closed Following a Big Truck Wreck

i-10 truck accident

Between Lake Charles and Sulphur, on December 1, 2022, an accident involving two semi trucks and a truck towing a boat trailer occurred as reported by 107 JAMZ. Responding to the accident, Louisiana State Police closed down I-10 eastbound and diverted traffic to I-210 while cleaning up the mess. Luckily, no injuries were reported in…

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18-Wheeler Driving on I-10 Around Ascension-St. James Dives Into the Bayou Below

A tractor trailer crash on highway with a skid mark of the swerve

On Tuesday afternoon, traveling along I-10, an 18-wheeler was involved in an accident after veering off the road and being completely submerged underwater in the bayou near the Ascension-St. James Parish line. As reported by WBRZ, the incident temporarily shut down the westbound lane of the interstate, and authorities directed traffic into one lane on…

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Injuries Reported in a Big Truck Wreck on I-12

truck crash

Early Friday morning on October 21, multiple people were injured in an I-12 eastbound tractor-trailer crash, as reported by WWLTV. During the crash, one vehicle was overturned, which could have resulted in further injury and property damage. According to a Facebook post by the Tammany Parish Fire District, one person had to be airlifted to…

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2 People Airlifted from Amtrak-SUV Crash Just South of Amite

Passenger Car Flies by Railroad Crossing - motion blur

On Thursday, October 20, an SUV collided with an Amtrak train outside of Amite. As reported by WAFB, this accident caused two people to be airlifted to the hospital, at least one of which with critical injuries. According to the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office, the crash occurred just after 1:00 P.M. Thankfully, authorities have reported…

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Tanker Truck Crash on I-10 Westbound Temporarily Closes Two Lanes

A tractor trailer crash on highway with a skid mark of the swerve

On October 18th, Lafayette police reported an accident involving a tanker truck and a vehicle travelling westbound on I-10 temporarily closed two lanes around mile marker 104, according to The Advocate. While there have been reports of injuries, there has been no clarification on the state of the individuals involved in the crash.  Commercial or…

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Accident on I-12 Leaves Six Horses Injured and One Dead 

Three 3 horse slant load horse trailer with dressing room

During the night of October 18th, a pickup truck from Texas crashed into the treeline on I-12 near Sherwood Forest Blvd while pulling trailers carrying seven wild horses. Luckily, East Baton Rouge Animal Control and a local man were able to successfully locate and wrangle the horses. As reported by WBRZ, six horses were rushed…

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I-55 shut down for nearly 12 hours after a chemical spill near Kentwood

Chemical Truck on Highway

Last Wednesday, September 7th, a commercial truck hauling hospital supplies was involved in a crash on I-55 between Kentwood and Osyka, Mississippi. Among the supplies on board, the truck was hauling 6,000 gallons of chemical cleaner that spilled onto the road after the truck collided with the back of a tanker. After the incident, two…

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PACT Act Gives Justice for Camp Lejeune Veterans

American flag patch on soldier uniform

On August 10, the PACT Act of 2022 was signed into law by President Joe Biden. This new law delivers a long-awaited and well-deserved victory for veterans and their families who still suffer from the damaging and irreversible effects caused by the water contamination at Camp Lejeune.   Water Contamination at 476 Camp Lejeune In 1982,…

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Train crashes into salt water truck and closes Highway 1

Train crashes into salt water truck and closes Highway 1

Last Friday, a KCS train heading south on Highway 1 crashed into the cab of a big rig traveling west, temporarily closing a section of Highway 1. The tank of the salt water truck ruptured at the moment of impact, and Life Air Rescue, North Caddo Medical, Caddo Fire District, and SWEPCO were then called…

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ExxonMobil worker injured on the job at Baton Rouge plant

ExxonMobil worker injured on the job at Baton Rouge plant

Early Tuesday morning, an ExxonMobil worker sustained an injury at the plastics plant in Baton Rouge. The company reported that the worker received medical attention on the scene before going to the hospital but has not released any more information regarding the incident.  The investigation into the cause has yet to begin, but the accident…

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Plywood falls off of 18-wheeler on I-10 and crushes 2 cars

Plywood falls off of 18-wheeler on I-10 and crushes 2 cars

On Monday, a piece of plywood fell off an 18-wheeler crushing two cars on I-10 East. One person was taken to the hospital with minor injuries, while the truck driver was ticketed for recklessly operating his vehicle.  Common causes of 18-wheeler accidents vary from distracted driving, improper cargo handling, and poor maintenance. No company was…

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Overturned 18-wheeler on Twin Span Bridge shuts down I-10

Overturned 18-wheeler on Twin Span Bridge shuts down I-10

On Sunday morning, July 10th, an overturned 18-wheeler closed I-10 West as it was coming from Slidell towards New Orleans. The cause of the initial crash remains unknown, but reports state that the trailer of a tanker truck detached and slid 20 feet down the bridge. While the cab went down into the lake, thankfully,…

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I-10 West Shuts Down For Nearly Fours After 6-vehicle pileup in Whiskey Bay

Significant damage from t-bone collision

On Friday, June 10th, at Whiskey Bay, a 6-vehicle pile-up closed the west lane of Interstate 10 for nearly four hours, resulting in twelve people injured. While the cause of the accident and the severity of the damages is still unclear, officials reported that five people were sent to the hospital after the multiple crashes…

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FedEx Driver Crashes Into Pickup, Leaving 1 Dead in Lake Charles

FedEx Driver Crashes Into Pickup, Leaving 1 Dead in Lake Charles

At 5:00 pm on June 5, a tragic accident involving a FedEx truck and a pickup occurred on Highway 12 in Beauregard Parish. A 21-year-old operating a Fed Ex truck side swiped the Chevy Silverado when attempting to pass it illegally on the eastbound lane. While the FedEx worker and driver of the Chevy truck…

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18-Wheeler Crash Slows Traffic on I-20 in West Monroe

Semi tractor trailer truck hauling a load of freight on a divided highway.

On Wednesday, an 18-wheeler traveling eastbound on Interstate 20 crashed, causing high traffic in West Monroe.  Truck accidents like these on I-20 are not uncommon. In fact, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration ranks I-20 as number 4 out of the most dangerous interstates in the country. As they drive through the bustling city of…

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Motorcyclist Killed in the Early-Morning Collision in St. Tammany

In the early morning hours, in St. Tammany, a motorcyclist was killed in a brutal collision with a truck. The truck did not yield when faced with a stop sign, and thus was the cause of this terrible accident. The driver of the truck was wearing a seatbelt and did not sustain any injuries. Unfortunately,…

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Plaquemine Chlorine Outbreak Sends Two Dozen to Hospital

On the night of April 18, a fire in the Dow chemical plant in Plaquemine lead to a chemical leak of one of the most dangerous, most-used industrial chemicals in modern industry: chlorine. Chlorine is used in a variety of manufacturing processes, as well as common household products from plastics to bleach.

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18-wheeler Carrying Hazardous Materials Overturns on I-10 in Iberville Parish

An 18-wheeler carrying the hazardous substance acrylic acid overturned in the median of I-10 in Iberville Parish around 6:30 am Wednesday morning.  By 11:00 am, police had shut down all traffic heading east from I-49 in Lafayette to LA 77 near Grand Tete, to facilitate what they referred to as “an extended recovery process.” It…

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Wrong-Way Driver Causes Multi-Vehicle Accident on I-10

Interstate 10 connects all of the Southern US, from the Pacific coast of California all the way to the Gulf of Mexico in Florida. One of the most dangerous sections of I-10 is located at the border of Texas and Louisiana outside of Lake Charles. This fact was brought into sharp relief on April 12,…

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Car Accident Caused by Highway Defect Results in Paraplegia

The experienced car accident lawyers at Gordon McKernan recently secured a large settlement for a client whose accident was the result of a highway defect. Our client suffered devastating spinal cord injuries and was left partially paralyzed after the incident. An accident like this one is made more tragic by the fact that it was…

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