2RVers
Florida
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Joined: 07/22/2006
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Terrible tanker truck accident Wednesday afternoon, has closed the exit. Severe damage to the overpass. The truck fell off the highway and blew up underneath. SR301 is also closed in the area. Detours are SR64 and Moccasin Wallow to get around it. FHP says could be closed for days, weeks or even months!! Just in time for the hurricanes!!!
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Hiker3
Florida
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Joined: 01/21/2007
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According to the Road Ranger who worked the accident, the truck driver saw an just-happened accident in front of him and tried to avoid running into them. He swerved and lost control. The Road Ranger said he hopes the pickup and car know what happened to the tanker truck.
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DianneOK
Sioux Falls, SD
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Moved from Fulltiming
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Craig A
Tampa Bay Area, FL
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According to the local reports, it had just rained and a Dodge Dakota entered the interstate from westbound 301 to southbound I75. When he accelerated to get onto the interstate his tires spun, he lost control and was facing north. The tanker (with diesel) could not stop and swerved, but still hit the front of the Dakota then rolled over the edge on the left hand lane and fell off the interstate onto westbound 301. Tanker driver was burned over 90% of his body but is still alive, in critical condition.
Latest report is bridge will be closed at least 6 weeks, but traffic will run both north and south on the northbound lane starting early next week. Will still be a PITA, but will be better than all the detours around the area.
I'm sure the driver could use some prayers.
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rayscycle
North Central Florida
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Joined: 06/03/2006
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my daughters live in the area. one on each side of the accident area, 10 miles apart. it is now taking over an hour for one to go to the others house.
the Mocasin Wallow route over the back roads to cross the river to get to 64 to get back to I75 will be the best bet untill the I75 temp fix is ready to use. It goes right past my 1st daughters house on a very narrow 2-lane country road so please be careful.
the other route goes right downtown thru Palmetto and Bradenton. you will have even more congestion going that way.
the overpass on I75 has to be rebuilt so it will be awhile. the broken concrete caused by the accident and the heat damages to the concrete caused by the fuel tanker compartments exploding did major damage.
If your travels necessate travel thru this area please be very careful and very, very patient.
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2RVers
Florida
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The truck driver aged 54, died on Saturday of his burns. I-75 should be open with obstructions by Monday morning, they are splitting the lanes of the northbound side into north and south to get around the bridge repairs.
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2RVers
Florida
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I-75 is now open with reduced lanes by using the northbound side for a short distance. Speed limit is reduced too. Two lanes in each direction with concrete barricades separating the north and south lanes. Also according TV new this morning June 9 at 5 am, US301 underneath is also open with one lane in each direction. Bridge should be fixed by mid July.
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Ames
South Central Florida
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Joined: 01/05/2001
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As 2RVers stated the driver died at the Tampa General Hospital Burn Center. His child's high school graduation was scheduled the next day. Our condolences and prayers go out for the family.
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