Local News
Serious incident occurring on Lake Pontchartrain Causeway bridge
A significant incident on the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, the world’s longest bridge over water, caused the closure of its northbound lanes on Saturday morning.
The bridge, which connects New Orleans to the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain, was shut down after reports of an emergency surfaced.
Serious incident occurring on Lake Pontchartrain Causeway bridgehttps://t.co/OO8tJtJJut pic.twitter.com/zX5XVYKoXy— News Channel3 Now (@newschannel3now) November 16, 2024
The Causeway Commission issued an alert at approximately 11:40 a.m., notifying the public about the lane closure due to what was described as a “serious incident.”
Officials initially estimated the closure would last about an hour, though further updates were not immediately available.
Photos and videos captured by onlookers at the scene showed towering flames and thick black smoke rising from the bridge. Motorists were seen standing outside their vehicles, observing the incident as traffic came to a standstill.
Authorities have not released specific details about the nature of the incident or whether there were any injuries. Emergency responders are actively managing the scene, and an investigation is underway.
Motorists are advised to avoid the area and seek alternate routes until further notice. Updates from the Causeway Commission are expected as the situation develops.
Local News
Bria Allen Killed, Two Children Injured After Vehicle Loses Control on Icy Road in Gurnee
GURNEE, Ill. — A tragic crash in the north suburbs claimed the life of a woman and left two young children injured Sunday night after a vehicle reportedly struck a patch of ice and lost control, authorities said.
According to the Gurnee Police Department, the collision occurred at approximately 8:54 p.m. Sunday on Grand Avenue over Interstate 94.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the driver of a 2004 Chevrolet Suburban was traveling westbound on Grand Avenue when the vehicle attempted to change lanes. Due to the icy road conditions, the Suburban is believed to have hit a patch of ice, causing the driver to lose control. The vehicle then crossed the center median and entered the eastbound lanes of traffic, where it collided head-on with a 2007 Ford Focus traveling east.
The force of the impact pushed the Ford Focus off the roadway and into a nearby ditch.
The driver of the Ford Focus, identified as 29-year-old Bria Allen of Evanston, was pronounced dead at the scene. The Lake County Coroner’s Office later confirmed that Allen died from blunt force injuries sustained during the crash.
The occupants of the Suburban—a 29-year-old woman from Waukegan and her two children, a 5-year-old boy and an 8-month-old girl—were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment. Their current conditions have not been released.
No additional injuries were reported in connection with the incident.
The Gurnee Police Department, with assistance from the Major Crash Assistance Team (MCAT), continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash. Authorities noted that winter weather and icy road conditions likely played a contributing role in the fatal collision.