Fatal crash closes I-75 southbound in Sarasota. Expect major delays, police say

Update: All lanes of I-75 have reopened. Read more details on the crash here.

A major wreck has closed the southbound lanes of Interstate 75 near the border of Sarasota and Manatee counties, Bradenton Police Department tweeted Tuesday morning.

A crash just north of Fruitville Road, Exit 210, before 10 a.m. closed all southbound lanes. Traffic is being diverted to University Parkway.

Bradenton police said at 10:47 a.m. that Florida Highway Patrol reports it is a fatal crash.

Highway Patrol and the Sarasota Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene, and the sheriff’s office tweeted a photo of the crash sending a large plume of smoke into the air.

“This crash appears to be a very tragic example of a catastrophic tire failure,” the sheriff’s office tweeted. “As the driver was beginning to exit onto Fruitville Rd., the tire blew which led to the vehicle overturning, and within minutes, engulfing in flames.”

“Many good Samaritans attempted to rescue those in the vehicle but were unsuccessful. Neither the driver nor passenger survived.”

Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to contact the Sarasota FHP office at 941-492-5850.

Officials are encouraging drivers to use alternate routes.

This story will update with more information as it is available.

This story was originally published August 16, 2022 at 10:48 AM.