Tractor-trailer overturns on Interstate 75 overpass over State Road 70 in East Manatee

EAST MANATEE -- A tractor-trailer overturned Tuesday on the Interstate 75 overpass at State Road 70, according to Manatee County Department of Public Safety.

At 2:52 p.m. Tuesday, firefighters with the East Manatee Fire Rescue District and an EMS unit responded to the scene before FHP troopers arrived. According to East Manatee Fire Battalion Chief William Hall, the truck driver was traveling southbound in the middle lane of I-75 just before the incident.

"Beyond that, I'm not sure what happened but he ended up overturning and ended up into the cable system," Hall said from the scene. "EMS checked him (the driver) out on scene and he appeared to be fine. He didn't want to be transported."

The left southbound lane is blocked, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The driver, who said he is from Cape Coral but declined to share his name with the Herald, sat in the driver's side of the tractor-trailer cab for some time during the investigation.

The driver told the Herald that he was traveling in the middle lane of southbound I-75 when a white Corvette cut in front of him.

"The car got in front of me and braked and, when I braked, the tire blew out," the man said in Spanish, pointing to a large tire nearby with a bent rim.

FHP Trooper Lawrence Donohue, who was on scene, said the investigation is not completed.

"So far it looks like he lost control of the vehicle for one reason or the other," Donohue said, adding that the driver came from the center lane, swerved into the left lane and ended in the grass median. At that point, Donohue said the driver slammed into the cable barrier on the median.

At the scene, an unknown amount of gravel spilled out of a trailer. The right headlight of the tractor-trailer cab had popped out and the license plate was mangled.

"It doesn't look like any criminal charges, as of now," Donohue added. "There may be a citation issued for careless driving, losing control of his vehicle."

Donohue said the driver, regardless of another vehicle braking, still has a responsibility to follow safely be able to stop in time without losing control of his vehicle.

FHP will be releasing a press release later with information.

Amaris Castillo, law enforcement/island reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7051. Follow her on Twitter@AmarisCastillo.

This story was originally published January 12, 2016 at 9:19 PM with the headline "Tractor-trailer overturns on Interstate 75 overpass over State Road 70 in East Manatee ."