Traffic in south Sarasota backed up earlier today after a fatal crash shut down both lanes of Sarasota Square Boulevard near Crockers Lake Boulevard, snarling the morning in the neighborhood. Troopers with the Florida Highway Patrol responded shortly after 4 a.m. and remained on scene while investigators examined the wreckage. East- and westbound travel between nearby intersections was blocked as crews worked to clear the roadway.
The shutdown was first reported by WFLA Tampa Bay, which said the crash was fatal and that FHP troopers were investigating. The station advised drivers to seek alternate routes while crews processed the scene.
Where It Happened
The collision occurred on Sarasota Square Boulevard near the Crockers Lake Boulevard intersection, a connector road that runs along the southern edge of the former Sarasota Square Mall site. As republished by Spot On Florida, early bulletins placed the scene near Crockers Lake Boulevard.
Local Impact
The closed stretch sits adjacent to a major redevelopment of the former Sarasota Square Mall, a project that has already altered traffic patterns in the neighborhood, according to Your Observer. Officials had not released the identity of any victims or a cause for the crash by late morning; the Florida Highway Patrol typically posts follow-up updates as investigations continue.
