Eight people were killed in a pileup crash in Louisiana on Oct. 23, 2023.Photo:Louisiana State Police/Facebook
Louisiana State Police/Facebook
Family and friends have identified a victim of theLouisiana highway pileup crashamid a “super fog” as officials announced that the death toll from the collision increased to eight.
The husband and father of two, who worked as a head chef at Punjabi Dhaba Indian restaurant in Hammond and Kenner, died about 10 hours after he was taken to North Oaks Hospital, according to the outlets.
Negi was headed to work when the tragic accident occurred, per the reports.
Louisiana State Police (LSP)said on Facebook Tuesdaythat an “ongoing investigation determined that at least 168 vehicles were involved in the crash, and 63 individuals received injuries in the incident.”
An LSP spokesperson tells PEOPLE that the agency has not “released any names yet” but expects to disclose them “in the near future.”
“A portion of the crash scene caught on fire shortly after the initial incident,” state policesaid Monday in a separate release on Facebook. “One tanker truck carrying a hazardous liquid is being off-loaded due to a compromised tank/trailer. Once the tanker is removed, first responders will be able to better assess the vehicles in that immediate area.”
“She is talking, then she cries,” he added. “She shows me pictures of all the good times they had. All we can do is give her the moral support and tell her to be strong.”
In its statement Monday, the LSP noted there had been “heavy fog” in the area of the crash. Marsh fires in the region and dense fog combined to cause a “super fog,“ABC Newspreviously reported. This led to visibility dropping to near zero and making driving dangerous.
“All vehicles have been removed from both sides of I-55, and [the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development] has begun the clean-up of the roadway,” the LSP said Tuesday. “DOTD bridge inspectors are onsite conducting preliminary inspections and have identified multiple areas requiring bridge repairs. A comprehensive structural inspection will take place once the bridge surface is completely clear of debris, diesel, and other chemicals.”
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
source: people.com
