I-10 At Exit 80 (Crowley) And Exit 44 Is Closed – HazMat Cleanup

Due to an accident earlier this morning Interstate 10 is being closed, according to the Louisiana State Police. A truck carrying benzene overturned in the westbound lane, and HazMat crews are cleaning up the site.

Via email, LSP  stated "Louisiana State Police Troop D is currently investigating a one vehicle crash on I-10 eastbound milepost 65 (just east of Jennings in Jefferson Davis Parish) that occurred shortly after 5:00 a.m. involving an 18-wheeler tanker carrying Benzene, a flammable and toxic liquid.  The 18-wheeler is overturned in the median and is not leaking at this time.  The driver had to be extricated from the vehicle and was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries.

We have begun the process of closing Interstate 10 both eastbound and westbound to begin the process of transferring the hazardous material to another tanker.  Interstate 10 will be closed for an undetermined amount of time. State Police Emergency Services units are on scene along with other first responders.

The detour route from the east will be I-10 west to LA 13 in Crowley (I-10 west is closed at this location), to US 190 west, to US 165 south in Kinder, to 1-10 west.  If east of Lafayette, I-49 north to US 190 west is a suggested detour route.

The detour route will from the west will be I-10 east to US 165 north (I-10 east is closed at this location) to US 190 east in Kinder to US 190 east to LA 13 south in Crowley or motorists may continue to I-49 south in Opelousas to I-10 east."