Seven killed in vehicle pileup in New Orleans area caused by blinding fog, smoke

Dense fog and smoke near New Orleans caused a pileup of at least 158 vehicles, which killed seven people and injured dozens more, Louisiana State Police said.

More than 25 people were transported to local hospitals with injuries ranging from minor to critical, state police said Monday after the crash earlier that morning.

A fire engulfed a portion of the accident scene following the initial crash, officials said. 

Wildfire smoke and dense fog combined before the accident, decreasing visibility in the area and creating "dangerous" conditions, according to Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards.

"I want to encourage all Louisianans in affected areas to take extreme caution when traveling," he also said. 

Edwards additionally urged residents to donate blood to replenish supplies that were drained while treating those wounded in the accident.

By Tuesday morning, state police said troopers were "in the process of removing the final group of vehicles" and a cleanup of the area would follow.

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