FHP: Driver asleep at the wheel caused crash that shut down I-75 in Brooksville
Courtesy: Florida Highway Patrol
BROOKSVILLE, Fla. - The Northbound lanes of I-75 were shut down early Friday morning after the driver of a semi-trailer fell asleep and the vehicle hit the median, rolled onto its side and caught fire, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Troopers said the driver claimed to have suffered a blown tire, but the accident investigator determined that the driver fell asleep at the wheel and said all of the tires were intact.
Courtesy: Florida Highway Patrol
According to the FHP, a driver traveling Southbound on I-75 was unable to see due to smoke from the crash and struck the guardrail.
The Department of Environmental Protection was on the scene to mitigate clean-up efforts because approximately 150 gallons of diesel fuel from the fuel tank leaked onto the roadway, according to the FHP.
Courtesy: Florida Highway Patrol
Troopers said the driver of the truck was not injured, but he has been charged with careless driving-driver fatigue.
It took about seven hours for all lanes of I-75 to reopen.