I-275 Reopened Following Tractor-Trailer Truck Crash

The Florida Highway Patrol has reopened all lanes of traffic on Interstate 275 following the crash of a tractor-trailer truck transporting a load of sand shortly after 11 a.m. July 5.

According to FHP spokesman Steve Gaskins, the tractor-trailer driven by Silvio Torres-Hernandez, 64, of Tampa, was traveling southbound on I-275 in the center lane when the truck experienced a mechanical problem with the steer axles and lost control. 

The truck veered left to the inside emergency lane and collided with car traveling south in I-275 in the inside lane, driven by Theresa Ann Alexander, 53 of Seminole. The truck then collided with the center median concrete barrier wall, continued south and struck two center light poles before coming to rest against the center wall. 

The initial impact caused sand to be ejected onto the northbound lanes of I-275. 

The crash, vehicle and debris removal closed down the northbound and southbound lanes of I-275 for two hours.

Four northbound vehicles on I-275 sustained damage to their vehicles from debris caused by the crash. Sand and other fragments from the light poles damaged vehicles as well.  

No charges will be filed.