Traffic came to a standstill on the Bayside Bridge in Clearwater last night after a garbage truck experienced a significant crash, ending up on its side and leading to the complete closure of the bridge's southbound lanes. The Clearwater Police Department confirmed the incident happened around 5 p.m., just as rush hour was gaining momentum.
According to footage obtained by Channel 8’s Eagle helicopter, there was a visible buildup of first responders at the scene, and even the northbound traffic slowed, wordlessly bearing witness to the interruption, the backed-up vehicles formed a long, winding snake along the bridge. While the Florida Highway Patrol took charge of the investigation, no details regarding potential injuries or the crash's cause had been released as of the evening, as shared in a report by WFLA News.
An update published by 10 Tampa Bay News noted the reopened lanes following the crash but left the reasons behind the disturbing event shrouded in mystery.
Clearwater Fire Rescue had yet to estimate a reopening time for the bridge following the incident, holding back details that might illuminate the crash’s narrative. Despite the lack of supplied context or the articulation of the injuries involved, the investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol carries on, as disclosed by FOX 13 News.
