A dump truck crashed through a concrete barrier on the Interstate 10 eastbound bridge near the Claiborne Avenue exit in New Orleans Thursday afternoon, sending two people to the hospital.
VIDEO: Truck careens off highway bridge, two hospitalized
Sonja Lady Dedais, who witnessed the incident while riding in a car on the bridge with a friend, sent photos of the crash to the WDSU newsroom.
“This crash was horrific,” Dedais said. “Somehow hit the brake. As we look, the truck was going through the railing and over, and everyone came to a stop and it hit the bottom.”
New Orleans Police Capt. Kendrick Allen said the truck landed on Claiborne Avenue, landing on the hood of a parked car. Nobody was inside the car at the time.
“The driver of the truck swerved to avoid an accident on the overpass,” Allen said. “Taking that defensive tactic, he came over the edge of the overpass, landing on Claiborne.”
Allen said police were called to the intersection of Claiborne and St. Bernard avenues at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, where they found the dump truck on its side, spilling construction materials and fuel onto the street.
First responders took the truck’s driver and a passenger to the hospital. As of Thursday afternoon, they are stable.
VIDEO: NOPD updates reporters on dump truck crash:
“This is a really busy intersection. A few minutes later, we may be talking a little bit different, but thank the lord no one was there,” Allen said.
Allen said it is unlikely the truck driver will face any citations.
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development is placing temporary water-filled barriers along the hole left in the I-10 barricade until repairs can be made.
“I just keep seeing flashbacks,” Dedais said.
As of Thursday night, the two right lanes of I-10 east are blocked near the Claiborne Avenue exit.
Investigators ask drivers to avoid the area.
Those traveling to Slidell or New Orleans East should take I-10 to West End and take Interstate 610 as an alternate route.
“This was an incredibly serious accident and I’m incredibly grateful that no lives were lost,” Mayor Helena Moreno writes from France where she plans to watch the New Orleans Saints play the Pittsburgh Steelers. “I want to thank our first responders, medical professionals and all the crews working on the cleanup effort for their swift response and hard work to keep everyone safe.”
WDSU obtained new video Friday showing the moment the truck plunged from the bridge onto an SUV below. The driver of the SUV is seen reaching into the vehicle as the crash unfolds. There’s no update on her condition, but the video shows her walking away from the scene.
READ MORE:Wild video shows the moment a dump truck crashes off interstate in New Orleans
