In Summary:
A 52-year-old Madeira Beach man was killed early Friday morning in a multi-vehicle crash on southbound Interstate 75 in Collier County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The chain-reaction collision involving three commercial semi-trucks and four passenger vehicles occurred around 12:11 am amid low visibility due to smoke. Two passengers in the pickup truck were seriously injured, and several additional crashes were reported nearby shortly afterward.
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Troopers from the Florida Highway Patrol responded to a multi-vehicle collision in Collier County this morning that resulted in the death of a driver.
According to the FHP report, at approximately 12:11 am, three commercial semi-truck / trailers and four passenger vehicles were traveling south on Interstate 75 at Mile Marker 96.
The first vehicle (a commercial semi-truck) stopped in the travel lane due to low visibility caused by smoke in the area. The front of the second vehicle (commercial semi-truck) collided with the rear of the first, followed by a chain reaction involving Vehicles 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7.
The dynamics/sequence of crash events remains under investigation.
One driver, a 52-year-old Madeira Beach man driving a pickup truck, died from injuries suffered in the collision. Two passengers in the vehicle (a 38-year-old female and a 15-year-old male) were transported to local hospitals with serious injuries.
The crash remains under investigation.
*Three other separate traffic crashes occurred on northbound Interstate 75 at Mile Marker 95 after 12:00 am:
- Crash One: Involved two semi-truck / trailer and a pickup truck, no injury. Remains under investigation.
- Crash Two: Involved four passenger vehicles / no injury. Remains under investigation.
- Crash Three: Involved one passenger vehicle vs. guardrail / no injury. Remains under investigation.
The FHP did not release the names of the drivers or passengers involved in the crash.
This is breaking news and may be updated if more details are known.
Key Points:
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The fatal crash occurred around 12:11 a.m. on southbound I-75 at Mile Marker 96.
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Three semi-trucks and four passenger vehicles were involved in a chain-reaction collision.
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Low visibility from smoke caused the lead semi-truck to stop in the travel lane, triggering the crash.
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A 52-year-old pickup truck driver from Madeira Beach died; two passengers were seriously injured.
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Three additional, non-injury crashes occurred on northbound I-75 near Mile Marker 95 shortly after midnight.
