Fog blamed for 2 accidents/1 death involving 83 vehicles

[CajunMama]

Scary thick fog in the Lafayette area this morning. It was one of those foggy mornings where you dread having to get in your car to go to work or school.

Authorities identify victim of fog-related crash
State police have released the name of the man killed this morning in one of a series of fog-related accidents involving more than 80 vehicles on Interstate 49.

John Chavis, 54, of the 300 block of East Madison Street in Opelousas, died after his vehicle was struck by an 18-wheeler on Interstate 49 southbound at Hector Connelly Road.

The accident occurred at 7:20 a.m. Trooper Willie Williams said Chavis had slowed down due to prior crashes and stuck another vehicle driven by Anthony Marks, 43, of Opelousas. Marks' vehicle came to rest in the median, but Chavis' vehicle spun around and was hit by an 18-wheeler driven by Robert K. Clark, 38, of LeCompte.

Another vehicle driven by Elmer W. Guimbellot, 69, of Leesville, was stuck from behind by Chavis' vehicle and pushed forward by the 18-wheeler, police reported. The other drivers received minor injuries in the incident. Guimbellot was taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center and treated for minor injuries, state police said. .

Williams said a total of 83 vehicles were involved in the crashes -- 19 crashes in the southbound lanes, and "one big crash" involving 44 vehicles in the northbound lanes.

The crashes closed I-49 for most of the morning between Lafayette and Opelousas. By 11:30 a.m. and traffic was moving on both northbound and southbound lanes.
The last vehicle was moved by 11 a.m. Police on the scene had moved all traffic diverted to La. 782 back to the interstate by 11:30 a.m.

Officials said 22 people were taken to area hospitals, most with minor injuries, some with fractures.

Officers diverted traffic away from I-49 between Lafayette and Opelousas most of the morning. As of 11 a.m., police had opened up all lanes of traffic on Interstate 49.

“The fog was so bad,” said Acadian Ambulance Vice President Clay Henry, “that even walking up to the accident scene it was so bad you couldn’t see the vehicles until you were right there.”

The fatal crash happened on southbound I-49 near the Hector Connoly Road exit, where many of the crashes occurred. The driver’s car was truck from behind by an 18-wheeler and caught fire, the state police told The Associated Press. A state trooper, whose name wasn’t immediately available, was hospitalized for smoke inhalation after trying to save the victim, state police told The Daily Advertiser.

Estimates of the number of accidents ranged upward to 70. Henry said vehicles that had been involved in crashes were visible in the median between the northbound and southbound lanes and between the interstate and the frontage roads.

http://www.theadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs. ... 12005/1002

More related articles on the fog:

Acadiana and Michigan crashes happened on same date http://www.theadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs. ... 1/60112003

Fog creates deadly congestion on I-49 http://www.theadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs. ... 1/60112002

[beachbum_al]

That always scares me living near the coast. On several occasions I have drove through fog so thick that you couldn't see in front of you. It is an awful feeling. Especially when some motorist will not turn on their lights so you can see the vague reminants of lights.

[Lindaloo]

There were 6 teenagers (all best friends) killed when an 18 wheeler slammed into their extended cab pickup last week in Stone County, MS. The teens truck was stopped on the highway in dense fog. No idea why they had stopped.

[beachbum_al]

I remember hearing about that on our local news here in Mobile area. And I believe it was in the Mobile Register. So sad. Lives so young with so much to live for.