An RTA bus carrying several passengers collided with a big tanker truck in Algiers on Wednesday afternoon, injuring 16 people, according to the New Orleans Police Department. Witnesses say that the 18-wheeler and the bus caught fire in the crash, leading to a dangerous situation.
Eleven people were taken to local hospitals, the NOPD said; three of them had moderate injuries, and none of the injuries were deemed life threatening.
NOPD officer Garry Flot said the bus was traveling east on Behrman Highway, preparing to turn left onto Behrman Place, when the truck, heading southbound on Behrman Place, swerved to avoid hitting the bus, tipped over and collided with the driver’s side of the bus.
The impact pushed the bus into an oncoming taxicab; two cars then hit the taxi, Flot said. The truck was a Gapvax vacuum excavation truck operated by Hydro Spy, Inc. which, according to the company’s website, “provides hydro and air vacuum excavation support to contractors and engineers throughout the oil, gas, chemical, civil construction and municipal industries.”
Upon collision the truck burst into flames, police said. Both people in the truck were able to escape with minor injuries, police said.
A hazardous materials crew was called to the scene, initially because of concerns that the truck may have been carrying chemicals. It was later discovered that the vehicle was carrying a combination of mud and water; crews were in the process of cleaning up diesel fuel spilled during the crash.
The crash took place shortly before 4 p.m., closing Behrman Highway in both directions, the New Orleans Police Department said. As of 8:30 p.m, Berhman Highway and Behrman Place remain closed around the site of the crash as crews worked to clear the roadway of debris, oil and mechanical fluids.
We are glad that there were no fatalities from this accident. Although there were injuries, no deaths in something like this is always a great thing. It will be interesting to see if the tanker truck or the RTA insurance company will accept blame for this accident. However, it does seem that the tanker truck was at fault. As always, Lawyer LaHatte is ready to serve anyone injured in this accident and seek recovery for personal injuries.
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jlahatte@glagolawfirm.com