Drivers on Interstate 49 near Pont Des Mouton in Lafayette got an unwelcome midweek surprise Wednesday when an Acadian ambulance wound up flipped on its side after a multi-vehicle crash, grinding traffic to a crawl as first responders flooded the scene.
The wreck happened just north of the Pont Des Mouton Road interchange, where emergency crews, tow trucks and cleanup teams stretched across lanes while they worked to secure the overturned unit and clear scattered debris.
A photo from NOLA.com, credited to Leslie Westbrook, shows the Acadian Ambulance rig lying on its side along the shoulder, ringed by emergency personnel and tow operators. In the background, traffic is being squeezed off the interstate as responders manage the crash site.
Road closures and response
According to KATC, I-49 northbound at the Pont Des Mouton exit was shut down while crews worked the crash. The outlet reported that traffic was diverted to frontage roads and alternate routes as tow trucks and multiple first responder units operated in the area.
Officials had not immediately released information on injuries or what triggered the collision in initial reports, and investigators were still working to piece together the chain of events.
I-49 crash context
This latest wreck lands in the middle of a rough spring on I-49 across Louisiana, which has seen several serious crashes. On May 22, a deadly multi-vehicle wreck in Shreveport closed the interstate, as reported by KSLA. In late April, a motorcyclist was killed in a three-vehicle collision on I-49 in Rapides Parish, according to KALB.
Together, those crashes highlight how fast incidents on the Evangeline Thruway can lock up the roadway and draw a heavy emergency response. Major I-49 investigations are typically handled by local traffic units working alongside state troopers.
As of the latest reports, authorities had not shared additional details about the Lafayette crash, and local outlets indicated they would update coverage as investigators learn more. Drivers headed through the Pont Des Mouton area should plan for lingering delays and keep an eye on local traffic reports for real-time conditions.
