Eastbound I-10 shut down for fiery fatal potato truck crash
Louisiana State Police say that at least one person has died following a truck crash on eastbound I-10 near Baton Rouge this morning.
Fatal Crash Closes Eastbound I-10
The crash happened at mile marker 121 near the Butte La Rose exit. State police say that an 18 wheeler overturned in the early morning hours and caught fire.
Truck hauling potatoes engulfed in flames after deadly I-10 crash, state police say. https://t.co/iXvD3VXCMT pic.twitter.com/eUvuLCJkVX
— WWL-TV (@WWLTV) October 9, 2017
Authorities have confirmed that at least one person was killed in the crash. It isn’t clear whether that person was the driver of the truck or a passenger. No reports of other injuries have been released.
On the scene of fatal accident involving 18-wheeler on 1-10 East near Butte La Rose exit. pic.twitter.com/oKmuAR1x3k
— Lora Lavigne KLFY (@LoraKLFY) October 9, 2017
Road Crews Work To Clear Interstate
In a photo released by the Louisiana State Police, you can see thousands of potatoes scattered on the roadway next to the burned truck.
Road crews are working to clear the road “as quickly and as safely as possible.”
State police are asking drivers to avoid the area. Traffic is being diverted off of eastbound I-10 onto northbound I-49 and then onto U.S. 190 eastbound. The interstate could remain closed for several more hours.
I-10 East is closed to traffic from I-49 (Lafayette) to LA 3177 (Butte LaRose) due to vehicle recovery. Detour: I-49 North to US 190 East.
— Baton Rouge Traffic (@BR_Traffic) October 9, 2017
It isn’t clear why the truck overturned or whether any other vehicles were involved in the crash.
This is a developing story.