18-wheeler crashes into overpass on I-75 in Florida, causing major delays near Ocala

An 18-wheeler carrying an oversized load crashed into an overpass on Interstate 75 near Ocala on Tuesday morning, causing major traffic issues, the Florida Department of Transportation said.

It happened about 9:19 a.m. when a 50-year-old man from Lakeland was driving a 2020 Freightliner tractor trailer that was carrying a large steel tank.

He was headed north on 75 when the top of the tank hit the SW 66th Street/Williams Road overpass in Marion County, sending concrete chunks into the roadway.

“The concrete overpass sustained significant damage,” FDOT said.

Northbound lanes were closed so the concrete could be removed, and the overpass was closed.

All lanes reopened by 8:55 p.m.

Northbound traffic was being diverted onto Exit 341 (CR-484).

As of 2:30 p.m., there were 8 miles of congestion northbound and 4 miles of congestion southbound from onlookers, FDOT said.

“Motorists should continue to seek other travel routes until further notice.”

This story was originally published February 22, 2023 at 4:55 PM.