Eight people died in a 168-car pile-up on I-55 in New Orleans.

At least 63 people were injured, with injuries varying from minor to critical. It took paramedics over 40 minutes to reach the crash site; therefore, some people who needed immediate medical attention took it upon themselves to find their own way to the hospital.

The pile-up occurred on the morning of October 23, 2023, due to dense fog caused by a combination of smoke from the recent marsh fires and condensation.

The crash started with three 18-wheelers colliding due to the lack of visibility. All of the semis then caught fire.

After the cars started to collide with each other, the bridge was engulfed with flames. Drivers began to help each other get out of their cars and get to safety. 

Saint Paul’s junior, Andrew James, was heartbroken when he heard about all of the innocent lives lost. “I couldn’t imagine if my mom or family member was involved in that horrific accident.” 

Most people involved in the accident were just trying to get to the airport but took that bridge because the Causeway Bridge was closed due to low visibility.

In addition to the chaos of cars smashing into each other, people were jumping out of their cars and jumping over the barriers to avoid being crushed by oncoming cars.

The wreck was so crowded that it took the state police several hours to confirm the total number of collisions, injuries, and fatalities, according to Nola.com.

Saint Paul’s sophomore Luca Rodas was devastated when he heard the news that morning. “My friend asked me if I had heard about the news yet. I wasn’t sure what he was talking about, so I looked it up and couldn’t believe it when I read about it.”

After the flames died down, all that was left was a pile of wreckage blackened by smoke.

The bridge remained closed indefinitely due to cleanup. New Orleans is still recovering from this devastating disaster.