ALACHUA COUNTY, FL (352today.com) – A nasty wreck on Interstate 75 (I-75) involving three vehicles and nine people on Sunday could have been much worse. Most people escaped with minor injuries.
What happened
Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) says two vehicles were traveling south on I-75 around 3:30 p.m.
Troopers say the driver of a 2019 Chevy truck tried to pass a 2014 Chevy Suburban towing a car hauler. In the process of doing that, FHP says the 43-year-old male driver of the pickup truck clipped the car hauler trailer and that caused a chain reaction crash. First, troopers say the 27-year-old driver of the Suburban crashed into the side of an 18-wheeler that was disabled on the shoulder, and then the pickup truck swerved into the emergency lane and crashed into the rear-end of the big rig which was being worked on by a mechanic.
Alachua County Fire Rescue (ACFR) responded to the accident to treat the victims.
“Several crews, including the heavy rescue, were needed to free the occupants from the tangled vehicles,” said ACFR in a news release. “Four ambulances were required to transport the two adult females, five adult males and one infant to area hospitals. Injuries varied from minor to serious.”
FHP says a 40-year-old female passenger in the Suburban was listed with the serious injuries. They say she’s from Kenner, Louisiana.
Troopers are still investigating and say charges are pending.
Reminder: Move Over
ACFR used this wreck to remind drivers of Florida’s move over law which went into effect January 1, 2024, and requires drivers to move over one lane for disabled vehicles.