Semi crash causes traffic nightmare

Three big rigs collide, 1 driver seriously injured, according to FHP

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – A section of Interstate 95 in St. Augustine was shut down for several hours after three big rigs were involved in a crash Tuesday morning, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Around 5:10 a.m., two semis collided on I-95 northbound, just north of State Road 16. Because of darkness, a third tractor-trailer failed to see the crash and hit one of the semis as it attempted to swerve around the trailer.

"It appears that one of the tractor-trailers -- the one transporting the potting soil -- was going a little slower than the others. The second truck came along and rear-ended him," FHP Capt. Jerry Crews said. "Shortly thereafter a FedEx truck, also northbound, came along and struck the rear end of the second vehicle."

According to the FHP report, 41-year-old Christopher Wiley of St. Augustine was driving the tractor-trailer that rear-ended the first semi and was then hit by another semi, driven by 57-year-old Nazario Negron. Wiley, who was not wearing a seat belt according to the report, had to be pried out of the cab of the semi. He suffered serious injuries, but is expected to be OK.

Negron and the driver of the first semi, 60-year-old Charles Davis Jr. of St. Augustine, were not injured.

Negron told News4Jax he couldn't see the crash until he was right up on it.

"We did have some diesel fuel spilled in the outline lane of traffic, (and) it has caused some damage to the roadway. Also the [Department of Transportation] will have to do some maintenance," Crews said.

Cleanup crews worked to clear the debris, including soil and packages that covered the interstate. St. Johns County Fire Rescue officials said it is estimated 50 gallons of motor oil (cargo) and 50 gallons of diesel fuel leaked during the incident.

In a statement a FedEx spokesperson said, "Our thoughts are with those involved in the accident in St. Augustine and we are cooperating with the investigating authorities. Teams were dispatched to clean up the area and to recover and transport packages as quickly as possible. Customers with questions about their shipments can track their packages on FedEx.com or call 1-800-Go-FedEx. Customers should contact the shipper to begin the claims process if they suspect their shipment has been damaged."

The Florida Department of Transportation had to strip most of the pavement in the third lane, even things out, and then lay down new pavement. That process took nearly four hours to complete.

All northbound lanes were closed for several hours, and traffic was being rerouted through the emergency lanes. Around 7:45 a.m. troopers opened one northbound lane of I-95 to traffic, but said they expect one of the lanes to be closed throughout the day.

FHP told News4Jax in early 2014 that it's been looking into that area of I-95, which is notorious for accidents. Officials said the straight stretch of road and high speeds are factors in the number of crashes there.

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