One person is dead after a series of crashes that shut down Interstate 10 between New Orleans East and Slidell.
Those crashes happened around 4:30 a.m. Tuesday. According to New Orleans Police Department officials, at least four wrecks, including one involving an overturned 18-wheeler, happened on the interstate. Smoke and fog, authorities say, played a role in those crashes.
Police say a man was taken to the hospital by EMS and later died as a result of his injuries. EMS crews transported several other people to area hospitals. Their conditions are not known.
NOPD officials say I-10 will remain closed until the scene is cleared.
"I-10 East drivers are being detoured at Read Boulevard, while I-10 West drivers are being detoured at Irish Bayou," an NOPD spokesperson said in a statement. "Drivers heading toward this area are urged to seek alternate routes until the scene has been cleared.
Due to low visibility from a mixture of wildfire smoke and dense fog, drivers in this area are also urged to drive cautiously and to not use high-beam vehicle lights. If possible, please consider delaying travel until visibility improves.
The crashes remain under investigation.