LAKE CHARLES, La. — All westbound lanes of Interstate 10 in Lake Charles were shut down early Sunday morning after an 18-wheeler flipped near the Highway 171 exit, according to Lake Charles Police.
UPDATE: This crash has been cleared from the roadway.
The closure is at mile marker 33, which corresponds to the I-10 westbound exit for U.S. Highway 171, a major north-south route through Lake Charles and Calcasieu Parish. Police announced the closure at 2:05 a.m. on February 1 and said drivers should avoid the area for an unknown amount of time.
Authorities described the situation as a flipped 18-wheeler and stated that all westbound lanes were closed. No additional details were released about possible injuries, what the truck was carrying, or how the crash occurred.
Lake Charles Police did not provide an estimated time for reopening the roadway, indicating that the closure could last for several hours depending on how long it takes to clear the overturned truck and any debris. Heavy commercial vehicles, especially fully loaded 18-wheelers, often require specialized equipment and tow services to safely remove them from the roadway.
Because all westbound lanes are shut down, drivers heading west can expect delays and possible congestion on nearby surface streets as traffic is diverted. No formal detour route was listed in the initial announcement.
Law enforcement typically asks drivers in these situations to:
- Avoid the crash area entirely if possible
- Use alternate routes such as local highways and frontage roads
- Allow extra time for travel, especially during morning commute hours
- Follow instructions from officers directing traffic near the scene