Troopers reopen Interstate 75 after fatal, multi-vehicle crash

Troopers have reopened all lanes of Interstate 75 in Sarasota County after a fatal crash shut down the highway for hours early Monday morning.

Thomas Mykins, 63, of Port Charlotte, was killed in the multi-vehicle crash that closed the northbound lanes of I-75 south at mile marker 174 in North Port between about 5 a.m. and 12:20 p.m., according to the FHP traffic map.

During the closure, traffic was diverted at mile marker 170, Kings Highway.

The crash was reported around 4:45 a.m. Monday, according to FHP. All lanes of the interstate were reopened shortly before 12:30 p.m.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Mykins was heading northbound on the interstate in a Ford Fiesta in the center lane as a second vehicle, a Ford Edge, also headed north in the left lane. A Toyota Tundra was behind both vehicles driving in the same direction.

Then, after a series of lane changes, Mykins’ car ended up colliding with the Ford Edge, spinning his car on the interstate and sending the other off the roadway. That’s when the Tundra hit Mykins car, as the driver said he was unable to see the vehicle in the road.

Mykins exited the vehicle on the driver’s side, troopers said, when a Chevrolet Suburban plowed into it. Troopers say that driver also couldn’t see the car in the roadway and wasn’t able to stop in time. Mykins was pronounced dead at the scene.

The other two drivers involved received minor injuries, troopers said.

An investigation is ongoing.

This story was originally published July 30, 2018 at 6:32 AM.