NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Police Department is investigating a fatal vehicle crash involving an 18-wheeler that had I-610 closed for hours during the busy morning commute.
All lanes at the I-10/I-610 West split were closed at Elysian Fields Avenue as traffic was being diverted and traffic congestion reached the I-10.
This came soon after a separate accident had I-10 eastbound closed for several hours. It reopened just as the I-610 accident happened.
The NOPD said the call came in at 5:52 am and the victim was confirmed dead by EMS at 6:10 am.
An initial NOPD report showed an adult male was pronounced dead. The NOPD also says the accident was between a car and an 18-wheeler.
"Through further investigation, it was determined that both vehicles were traveling westbound on I-610 near the Elysian Fields Avenue exit when, for unknown reasons, the Camaro driver lost control of his vehicle and collided with the center guard rail. After the initial impact, the 18-wheeler then struck the Camaro and came to rest," the NOPD said in a report.
NOPD says Interstate 610 West is closed before the Franklin Avenue exit while detectives investigate the scene. Traffic is being diverted onto I-10 West at the I-610 Split near Franklin Avenue. Drivers are urged to seek alternate routes during this closure. The roadway will be reopened once the scene has been cleared.
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