Dash Cam Video Captures Moment 18-Wheeler Crashes On I-10 Bridge In Lake Charles

Newly released dash cam footage shows the terrifying moment an 18-wheeler hauling multiple vehicles crashed on the Calcasieu River Bridge along Interstate 10 in Lake Charles late Friday night.

The video, shared by Mike Soileau of Gator 99.5, a Townsquare Media sister station in Lake Charles, shows the moment the crash unfolded from a civilian vehicle traveling nearby. According to the post, the video was provided to authorities by Westlake Police and captured on a driver's dash cam.

In the footage, the truck hauling several vehicles appears to lose control before overturning on the bridge, sending debris across the roadway.

Explosion And Fire Follow Impact

According to reports from KPLC, the crash happened around 10:51 p.m. Friday and involved two vehicles. The impact caused the car hauler to overturn, leaving several vehicles flipped and scattered across the bridge.

Authorities say diesel fuel began leaking from the truck and eventually caught fire, creating a massive blaze that could be seen from nearby areas.

Witness Dylan Alexander, who was leaving work at the Horseshoe Casino at the time, described hearing what sounded like an explosion.

“It sounded like the gates of hell opened. It was extreme and intense,” Alexander told KPLC.

He says he immediately began filming as flames and debris filled the scene.

“The whole thing was engulfed in flames and it launched over the side,” he said, describing what looked like a massive cloud of smoke and debris.

Debris Falls From Bridge

Police confirmed that debris from the crash was thrown off the bridge and into the river below. However, officials say no vehicles actually fell from the bridge.

One person involved in the crash was transported to a hospital. Their condition has not been publicly released.

Emergency crews quickly responded to the scene, and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality was called in due to the diesel spill.

Multiple agencies, including the U.S. Coast Guard, also responded to survey the river and assist with the cleanup effort.

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Bridge Closed For Hours After Severe Damage

Authorities say the crash caused significant damage to the bridge, including a destroyed guardrail that had to be removed and replaced before traffic could safely resume.

The bridge remained closed overnight while crews cleared debris and repaired the damage.

By around 3 p.m. Saturday, officials confirmed that all lanes of the Calcasieu River Bridge had reopened to traffic.

Investigators are still working to determine what caused the crash.