Coon Key Bridge Open After Box Truck Crash

SARASOTA, FL — Update Oct. 17, 7:14 p.m.: The Sarasota Police Department says all lanes are open on the Coon Key Bridge following a box truck crash Monday morning.

Police have not yet released the name of the driver, but say the 63-year-old was cited with careless driving.

Update 3:49 p.m. Oct. 17: The Sarasota Police Department reports that the westbound lanes of the Coon Key Bridge closed to traffic just after 3:30 p.m.

"From Bird Key Park to the Sarasota Yacht Club, the eastbound lanes are as follows: one lane is now westbound and one lane is now eastbound," an email from the agency said.

The closings will last until the truck is removed from the water. The process is expected to take about three hours.

Update, 3:23 p.m. Oct. 17: The Sarasota Police Department reports traffic is moving smoothly on the westbound lanes over the Coon Key Bridge following a crash involving a box truck Monday morning. The agency, however, is warning motorists the bridge will close later this afternoon for the removal of the box truck from the water. The closing was initially planned for 2 p.m., but was delayed to await the arrival of a structural engineer from Tampa. The engineer is being asked to determine if the bridge can safely accommodate the weight of two cranes.

It is unclear how long the closing might last.

Earlier:

The Sarasota Police Department is asking motorists to avoid the area of the Coon Key Bridge Monday morning following a single-vehicle crash that left a box truck in the water.

According to the agency, the accident involved a box truck that drove over the westbound lanes of the Coon Key Bridge and into the water below.

“The driver is safe and out of the truck, however, the box truck is in the water,” Genevieve Judge, police department spokeswoman, wrote in an email to media. “Patrol officers are working to direct traffic westbound over the John Ringling Causeway Bridge and Coon Key Bridge and marine patrol officers are on the water working to assess how to remove the box truck.”

While no roads are closed at this time, Judge said traffic is becoming rather backed up. The Coon Key Bridge is down to one westbound lane at this time, she added.

Drivers are urged to find different routes if possible.

No further information is available at this time.

Photos courtesy of the Sarasota Police Department