Nathan Stubbs

I-10 closed between Lafayette and B.R.

by Nathan Stubbs

Interstate 10, eastbound, between Lafayette and Baton Rouge is shut down following an early morning wreck involving an 18-wheeler carrying hazardous materials. The wreck resulted in minor injuries but both vehicles caught fire following the collision. The truck was carrying the chemical toluene diisocyanate, which is extremely flammable and poisonous. State police are estimating the eastbound lane closure to last for another 10 to 12 hours as a hazardous materials crew works to clear the site. State Police Public Information Officer Stephen Lafargue says the westbound lane will also be closed for approximately two hours at some point later today as an added precaution for while the remaining hazardous chemicals are being offloaded and transported off the basin bridge. Police are directing Lafayette drivers traveling to Breaux Bridge of Henderson use the Breaux Bridge Highway. Drivers can take I-49 to Hwy. 190 east to get to Baton Rouge.