Lakeland Man Seriously Injured in Tanker Crash

MANATEE COUNTY, FL — A Lehigh Acres woman has been cited for making an improper lane change that prompted the three-vehicle collision that shut down Interstate 75 lanes in the University Parkway area well into Tuesday morning.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Nichole Lachance, 45, was driving a 2003 Volkswagen Beetle southbound on I-75 around 10:39 p.m. Monday, Dec. 12. At that time, a Mazda 6 driven by Elizabeth Borer, 39, of North Port and a tanker truck driven by Wisma Antoine, 37, of Lakeland were also heading south.

As the three vehicles approached University Parkway, troopers say Lachance, who was riding in the center lane, attempted to move into the left lane. The left side of her car struck the side of the Mazda. After the initial crash, Lachance’s car rotated and its rear struck the the fuel-hauling tanker truck. The tanker ultimately rotated, overturned and spilled an estimated 500 gallons of gasoline onto the roadway, the highway patrol said.

Lachance has been cited for making an improper lane change. Troopers say she suffered serious injuries in the crash. Antoine, the tanker’s driver, was also seriously injured. The tanker is operated by C & C Transport, according to the highway patrol.

The investigation and clean up left I-75 lanes in the area closed well into Tuesday morning.

Photo courtesy of the Florida Highway Patrol