The driver of an eighteen-wheeler was killed Monday morning when his truck smashed into a guardrail on Interstate 10 eastbound, just past the Mississippi River Bridge, officials said.
The crash closed I-10 east for hours, causing traffic to pile up for miles.Â
Photos from Baton Rouge police showed the truck partially dangling from the side of the bridge. The body of the driver was found outside the truck, Baton Rouge police said.Â
The multi-vehicle crash happened at about 8:30 a.m. at the base of the bridge, just past the Highland Road exit ramp, police said in a news release.Â
At first, the right two lanes were closed, leaving only the left hand lane open, but all lanes were eventually closed, the Department of Transportation and Development said shortly after 10 a.m.Â
Drivers were diverted onto La. 1 north to U.S. 190 east. At one point, congestion approached La. 77 at Grosse Tete, DOTD said.
The bridge was re-opened around 12:45 p.m., DOTD said.