I-10 reopens following accident involving hazardous chemicals

LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) - A single-vehicle accident Tuesday afternoon has been cleared after it blocked I-10 in both directions near the I-210 interchange on the east side of Lake Charles, according to Louisiana State Police.

All lanes are now open on I-10 East at the I-10/I-210 (Mile Marker 34). Traffic congestion has reached approximately 2 miles in length on both I-10 Eastbound and I-210 Eastbound. Motorists are advised to use caution.
— Lake Charles Traffic (@LC_Traffic) June 30, 2021

“It actually started from a single-vehicle crash, and the tanker truck was carrying a liquid chemical product.,” said State Trooper Derek Senegal.

The accident, which happened in the westbound lanes, involved hazardous materials, according to the Louisiana Department of Transportation.

Senegal, spokesman for Louisiana State Police Troop D, says the chemical has been identified as Neopentyl glycol and says it has no inhalation hazard.

“It’s some type of product that’s used in different applications, and from what we’ve read on it, it’s shipped at a certain temperature, and if it is exposed to a lower temperature, it solidifies. That’s what it’s doing now,” Senegal said.

Senegal says the driver of the vehicle sustained minor injuries.

There remain a number of 18-wheelers along the side of the road as a result of the traffic caused by the accident. According to Louisiana State Police, this is because they are only allowed to drive a certain number of hours on the road. Many of the drivers spent a lot of their hours in the traffic and were required by law to pull over. The trucks will be back on the road later today.