Louisiana truck driver accused of causing a 160-car pileup that killed EIGHT people by driving down the highway in ‘superfog’ and crashing into cars in front of him

A Louisiana truck driver is accused of causing a 160-car pileup that killed eight people by driving down the highway in a “superfog” and crashing into cars in front of him.

Ronald Britt, 61, was charged with negligent homicide for his role in a fiery pile-up on the highway which resulted in eight deaths last year.

Britt was speeding on Interstate 55 west of New Orleans on Oct. 23 when he struck the rear of a car that had stopped in the left lane behind several other vehicles, Louisiana State Police said in a statement Tuesday.

The “super fog” of swamp fire smoke and dense fog ensnared more than 160 vehicles, authorities said.

Eight people were killed in the multi-collision crash and 63 were injured, including 60-year-old James Fleming. His wife, Barbara Fleming, 69, survived but was seriously injured in the crash.

Ronald Britt, 61, was charged with negligent homicide for his role in a fiery highway jam that left eight dead last year

Eight people were killed in the multi-collision crash and 63 were injured, including 60-year-old James Fleming. His wife, Barbara Fleming, 69, survived but was seriously injured in the crash

The “super fog” of swamp fire smoke and dense fog ensnared more than 160 vehicles

It took a month for the highway to fully reopen after repairs were made to the road and bridge, both damaged by the accidents and vehicle fires

Eight people were killed and 63 were injured

It took a month for the highway to fully reopen after repairs were made to the road and bridge, both damaged by the accidents and vehicle fires.

Britt, a commercial truck driver from Lafayette, was arrested on multiple charges, including negligent homicide, negligent wounding, reckless operation and other traffic-related offenses, state police said.

Britt voluntarily surrendered to authorities on Monday. It is not known whether he has an attorney who can speak on his behalf.

Another driver hit in the crash is still recovering from his injuries.

Months after the crash, Will Lee — who was stuck on I-55 for hours — is still in pain from injuries he sustained when his head was sliced ​​open during the collision.

Negligent homicide in Louisiana carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a possible $5,000 fine.

Drone footage and videos showed apocalyptic scenes from the aftermath of the wrecks, showing a long stretch of mangled and scorched cars near New Orleans.

Vehicles were crushed, rammed and some were engulfed in flames. Many people initially stood on the side of the road or on the roof of their car and watched the disaster in disbelief, while others called for help.

Piles of mangled cars, piled on top of each other as firefighters trudged through the rubble, were left on the highway as the sun set.

Hours after the crashes, the smell of burning wreckage still lingered in the area.

Christopher Coll, 41, was one of the drivers in one of the pile-ups. Coll could smell smoke as he heard the sounds of crashing cars and popping tires.

“I was already hitting the brakes and slowing down when an F-250 pulled up on top of my work trailer and took me for a ride,” Coll said. The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate.

He was able to kick open the passenger door to escape and then helped others by pulling one person out through a car window.

A vehicle is seen in the water under Interstate 55 near Manchac

Clarencia Patterson Reed was also among the wave of wrecked cars as she drove to Manchac with her wife and niece.

Reed told the newspaper she saw people waving their hands to stop, but when she did, her car was hit from behind and side by two other vehicles.

“It was ‘Boom.’ Boom. “All you heard was a crash for at least 30 minutes,” Reed said.

She was able to climb out of her car, but her wife was pinned down, injuring her leg and side.

While 25 people were taken to hospital with injuries ranging from minor to critical, many others sought medical attention on their own, authorities said.

Gov. John Bel Edwards asked for prayers Monday “for those injured and killed” and called on blood donors to replenish dwindling supplies.

The Louisiana State Police shared aerial photos on their Facebook page of the crashed cars and extensive debris on both the northbound and southbound lanes of the elevated highway, which runs over swamps and open water between Lakes Pontchartrain and Maurepas.