MANATEE -- The Florida Highway Patrol has concluded its investigation of a multi-vehicle accident on Interstate 75 earlier this year, resulting in 19 traffic citations.

The pile-up on Oct. 5 left southbound lanes leading to the University Parkway exit at the Manatee-Sarasota county line backed up for miles during the six-hour road closure.

The findings showed that 53 vehicles were involved in 21 traffic accidents, according to FHP.

No fatalities were reported. However, 52 people were injured, 22 of whom were taken to local hospitals for treatment. Only two were evacuated via helicopter.

A brief rain shower that afternoon was listed early on as a contributing factor.

Further investigation revealed driver error also led to the incident, resulting in the issuance of the citations, according to FHP.

FHP was assisted onscene by the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office, the Manatee County Sheriff's Office, Sarasota County Fire Department, Southern Manatee Fire and Rescue, East Manatee Fire and Rescue, Manatee County Emergency Medical Services, Nokomis Fire Department, Sarasota County Area Transit, American Red Cross, Salvation Army, DBI Services and the Florida Department of Transportation.

Elizabeth Johnson, Herald crime reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7041. Follow her on Twitter@EJohnsonBHcrime.