A major spill on Interstate 75 in Pasco County threw weekend traffic into disarray when a dump truck hauling rocks overturned, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The accident, which occurred on yesterday afternoon north of SR-56, prompted the closure of all southbound lanes of I-75 with traffic being redirected at SR-54. The driver, a 51-year-old man from Riverview, lost control of the vehicle before it overturned, spilling its load across the highway, WFLA reported.
The Florida Highway Patrol stated that, the incident happened just before 2:00 p.m. and although the lanes were shut for an extended period to clear the debris, the driver sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to a local hospital WTSP notes. Meanwhile, traffic cameras captured images of crews at work on the scene as they grappled with the aftermath of the spill.
Traffic was initially diverted at SR-54, causing a significant slowdown for southbound travelers. Cleanup efforts continued well into the afternoon following the crash which was said to have taken place at approximately 1:45 PM. The details surrounding what caused the driver to lose control are still under investigation by the FHP.
The disruption stretched for hours as crews worked tirelessly to remove the rocks and overturned vehicle from the highway. "The driver of the dump truck sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital," detailed the Tampa Free Press. Despite the severity of the accident, no other vehicles were reported to be involved in the incident, and no other injuries have been reported at this time. The roadway was eventually cleared and reopened to traffic later that evening, restoring the flow along one of Pasco County's major thoroughfares.
