Skip to Main Content

After 18-Wheeler Crash Leaves 4 Dead, Feds Approve Funds to Widen I-12 Near Covington, Louisiana

 

Funding has finally been approved to widen a dangerous section of Interstate 12 in Louisiana, following a  horrific 18-wheeler crash that left 4 people dead over the Memorial Day weekend.

18-Wheeler Failed to Stop, Setting Off Fiery, Chain-Reaction Crash

The deadly accident transpired late in the afternoon on May 26th, just outside of Covington.

Apparently, traffic was at a stand-still in the eastbound lanes of I-12 at LA 21.

The 18-wheeler failed to stop in time for the congestion and jackknifed, triggering a fiery, chain reaction crash that involved 9 other vehicles.

A Baton Rouge woman and her son were pronounced dead at the scene, as was the truck driver. A woman from Mandeville died later at the hospital.

More than a dozen people suffered mild-to-moderate injuries.

Accidents Common Along Louisiana I-12 in St. Tammany

Evidently, the accident occurred on a narrow section of the interstate known for frequent crashes and congestion.

Shortly after the fatal crash, the St. Tammany Parish government committed $7.2 million to widen that stretch of I-12 and applied to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for additional funding.

Late last week, Senator John Kennedy (R-La) announced that DOT had approved $41 million in BUILD grants for St. Tammany Parish.

Roughly half of the funding – $25 million – will be used for the I-12 widening project.

“The widening of Interstate 12 is critical to public safety.  After the Memorial Day weekend fatalities, I started working with state and local leaders to convince Secretary Chao that this funding was necessary to save lives,” Senator Kennedy said in a statement. “I want to thank St. Tammany Parish President Pat Brister and state Sen. Jack Donahue for working tirelessly with me on this project.”

Undefeated Truck Accident Lawyers with Over $1 Billion Won: Call 1-888-603-3636 or Click Here for a Free Consult.

Our Undefeated Truck Accident Lawyers have won over $1 billion for our clients, including hundreds of people in Louisiana, Texas, and across the United States who were injured or tragically killed in connection with preventable 18-wheeler crashes and other commercial trucking accidents.

If you or someone you love were hurt in an 18-wheeler accident, call 1-888-603-3636 or Click Here to send us a confidential email via our “Contact Us” form.

All consultations are free, and because we exclusively represent clients on a contingency-fee basis, you’ll owe nothing unless we win your case.