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Published on Wednesday, February 4, 2004
in the NBC-2.com
SARASOTA, February 4, 2004— The Florida Highway Patrol issued a crash report on the I-75 tanker accident that severely damaged the Big Slough Canal Bridge in Sarasota County and killed the driver. According to the report, the driver used the wrong lane and was traveling too fast.
The FHP report listed several factors that contributed to the accident.
The area where the accident occurred was under construction. The posted speed limit is 60 mph, but witnesses reported the truck was traveling 70 mph.
The construction is a road widening project. Posted signs told truck drivers to ride in the left hand lane. The right hand lane included part of the shoulder of the road, which is uneven.
The driver of the semi was traveling in the right hand lane and apparently slipped on the uneven pavement, hit the bridge and rolled several times.
FHP Investigators said there was adequate signage near the accident scene.
"There are signs posted in the general area telling truck traffic to use the left lane. This particular truck was in the right lane and subsequently the rear tandems dropped off of the shoulder causing him to lose control, eventually hitting the bridge and overturning," said Sergeant Doug Dodson of the Florida Highway Patrol.
The fire melted pilings on the bridge and three of the spans were charred or punctured. It will take crews at least three weeks to repair the damaged bridge