In West Melbourne, Florida, a crash involving two semi trucks turned fatal.
The incident occurred on Thursday morning on I-95 near Palm Bay Road.
Florida Highway Patrol stated that a semi truck, hauling a road construction excavator, suffered a tire separation. That’s when the semi truck smashed through the south median guardrail. The driver broke through about 400 ft. of guardrail.
The excavator came loose from the trailer, veered into the north lanes of I-95 where it then collided with head-on with another semi truck. Two other vehicles near the scene that were heading north were struck by debris from the wreck.
WTFV reported that the driver of the semi hauling the excavator, 48-year-old Douglas Platt, was taken to the hospital with critical injuries. The driver of the truck that was struck by the semi died at the scene. His identity has not been released but officials stated that he was 59-years-old.
Resident Alberto Carulli told reporters:
“I’ve ridden here for 20 years and I have never seen anything like this. It is a tragedy, you know, it’s terrible.”
The other two drivers who were hit by debris from the wreck were not injured.
Due to the incident, the north lanes of I-95 are covered in debris and diesel fuel. Once crews clear the area, engineers will be called to the scene to assess any road damage.
Officials expect the north lanes of I-95 to remain closed throughout the remainder of Thursday afternoon. The southbound lanes are now open, but traffic is moving slowly.