A fatal crash involving three tractor-trailers has closed all southbound lanes on the Florida Turnpike.
At noon, almost nine hours after the crash, all southbound lanes remain closed, according the Florida Highway Patrol’s incident map.
At 2:20 p.m., the FHP reported the inside southbound lane is now open. The other southbound lane is expected to remain closed for repairs due to damage from the crash.
One person has been killed and one seriously injured, according to an early accident report from the Florida Highway Patrol.
The crash happened shortly after 3 a.m. Dec. 3 in Osceola County.
Here’s what we know.
Florida Turnpike accident closes all southbound lanes for almost 12 hours. 1 lane now open
A fatal crash on the Florida Turnpike in Osceola County closed all southbound lanes at milemarker 248 in Kissimmee for almost 12 hours.
All southbound motorists were forced to get off the Turnpike at milemarker 249, which is the exit for the Osceola Parkway, between the time of the crash shortly after 3 a.m. until about 2 p.m.
At noon, all southbound lanes remain closed.
At 2:20 p.m., the FHP reported the inside southbound lane is now open. The other southbound lane is expected to remain closed for repairs due to damage from the crash.
Fatality, injuries reported in Florida Turnpike crash
According to the FHP, one person was killed and another seriously injured in the crash on the Florida Turnpike near Kissimmee Dec. 3.
3 tractor-trailers involved in fatal Turnpike crash
Shortly after 3 a.m., three tractor-trailers were heading south on the Turnpike in Osceola county near Kissimmee.
Two of the tractor-trailers began to slow down for traffic when the driver of the third tractor-trailer “failed to observe” the others and hit the rear of the tractor-trailer ahead of him. That collision caused a chain reaction, driving that truck into the tractor-trailer ahead of him.
The first tractor-trailer became partially engulfed in flames and the driver was pronounced dead on the scene, the FHP said.
The driver of the middle tractor-trailer sustained serious injuries and was transported to Osceola Regional Medical Center.
This story has been updated to include new information.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: 1 dead after 3 trucks crash. One southbound Turnpike lane now open
Reporting by Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Florida Today
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
