John Bel Edwards urges prayer, blood donations after huge Louisiana I-55 crash

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards urged prayer and blood donations to help treat the wounded after hundreds of cars smashed together amid dense fog and smoke on Interstate 55 north of New Orleans Monday. 

“Please join me and Donna in praying for those hurt and killed in today’s tragic I-55 crash, as well as their families,” Edwards said in a statement, referring to First Lady Donna Edwards. “The combination of wildfire smoke and dense fog is dangerous, and I want to encourage all Louisianans in affected areas to take extreme caution when traveling.”

Authorities said there were at least two dead and dozens injured on both sides of I-55 near Manchac and Ruddock, where emergency responders were working Monday to combat fires and move people and cars off the elevated highway, according to multiple reports.

Edwards thanked first responders who arrived at the scene, which was littered with burned-out and damaged cars, according to video shared by news outlets.

“The best way you can help…besides exercising caution on the road, is to donate blood at your local blood donation center,” Edwards said. “It will help replenish supplies that are being drained today to care for the wounded.”

This is a developing story; check back for updates.