Serious crash snarls traffic on I-75 in Gibsonton
GIBSONTON, Fla. - A crash on Interstate 75 caused traffic headaches in Gibsonton during the Thursday morning rush hour.
The crash occurred near Gibsonton Drive. An overturned truck closed two southbound I-75 lanes near that exit, but those lanes have since reopened. All lanes were previously closed as a medical chopper responded to the scene.
Traffic was flowing, but very slowly. Frustrated drivers heading south were seen turning around in the emergency shoulder and driving north – the opposite direction. Those drivers were aso seen crossing the grassy median after heading in the wrong direction to find an earlier exit. Troopers said 48 citations were issued to drivers making the illegal U-turns.
Backups were seen from the Gibsonton Drive exit to the Brandon exit.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a 33-year-old male driver was heading south on I-75 and tried to overtake a pickup truck towing a utility trailer. Instead, troopers said, the driver crashed into the rear of the truck causing the truck to jackknife and overturn. The male driver ended up crashign into a no U-turn sign and had minior injuries. He was cited for careless driving.
The driver of the truck, a 36-year-old man, had serious injuries and was taken to Tampa General Hospital.
