A deadly crash on a busy Miami-Dade artery shut down southbound U.S. 27 (Okeechobee Road) Friday morning after a flatbed truck plowed into the back of a stopped box truck at North Krome Avenue, killing the flatbed driver, authorities said. The box truck driver was not injured, and the flatbed driver was pronounced dead at the scene as emergency crews closed the roadway and Florida Highway Patrol troopers began their investigation.
Crash and response
Troopers said the collision happened in the southbound lanes of U.S. 27 at North Krome Avenue and that the victim's name has not yet been released. Video from the scene showed a yellow flatbed crumpled into the rear of the box truck, which appeared largely intact. Florida Highway Patrol confirmed the box truck driver walked away unhurt, according to NBC 6 South Florida.
Traffic impact
Air footage and station video showed southbound U.S. 27 traffic being diverted onto Krome Avenue while first responders worked the wreck and cleared debris, CBS News Miami reported. The Florida Department of Transportation's traffic website listed all southbound lanes blocked as of about 7:18 a.m., backing up the morning commute along the key west-to-inland route.
A stretch with a history of crashes
The Okeechobee Road corridor near Krome Avenue has seen multiple serious crashes in recent months, including an April wreck that required an airlift, according to local coverage by Local 10. Safety upgrades and corridor reconstruction have been planned or are under way in an effort to cut down on collisions along U.S. 27, as detailed in safety upgrade and reconstruction plans.
Florida Highway Patrol continues to investigate Friday's deadly crash and has not released a possible cause. Officials have asked anyone with information or dash-cam video from the area to contact FHP as troopers work to piece together what led to the collision, according to NBC 6 South Florida.
