New Orleans, United States - December 17, 2024 A dense fog blanketing the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway Bridge led to a horrific chain reaction crash on Tuesday, December 17, involving more than 40 vehicles and shutting down the bridge for seven hours. The accidents began around 8:30 a.m. when visibility was reduced to less than a tenth of a mile due to sea fog. A Marine Dense Fog advisory was in effect, and the National Weather Service warned of dangerous driving conditions. Footage from the scene shows multiple mangled vehicles, including at least one 18-wheeler, with some sustaining fire damage. Thirty-three people were hospitalized, though most injuries were minor and non-life-threatening. The most severe crash occurred near the 18-mile marker on the southbound side, with a simultaneous crash on the northbound side and a third near the 8-mile marker. A responding police officer was rear-ended but escaped serious injury. A major rescue and recovery operation followed, with debris and damaged vehicles blocking traffic across multiple miles of the bridge. The bridge was reopened at 4:15 p.m., and a temporary detour was set up for northbound drivers. Causeway officials noted that fog likely played a significant role in the accidents, and authorities are urging drivers to exercise caution in such conditions. "Pay attention while you’re driving, please," said Carlton Dufrechou, general manager of the Causeway Bridge.