Southbound I-75 closed in Charlotte County due to a tanker crash, fuel spill

Writer: Joey Pellegrino
Published: Updated:
The site of a fuel spill from an overturned tanker truck on I-75 in Charlotte County. Credit: Google maps

Southbound I-75, near the Kings Highway exit in Charlotte County, is currently closed due to a tanker leaking fuel after driving off the road and turning onto its side.

According to the North Port Police Department, roughly 200 gallons of fuel have spilled. Sarasota County and Charlotte County HAZMAT teams are on the scene, as well as North Port Fire Rescue and NPPD. The driver was transported to a local hospital.

The far-left southbound lane on I-75 opened up around 7:45 a.m., with traffic moving very slowly.

According to the Florida Highway patrol, a fuel tanker driven by a 40-year-old man from Palm Harbor was traveling southbound in the outside travel lane of I-75 lane around 5 a.m., approaching mile marker 172, when it experienced a catastrophic tire failure, causing the vehicle to veer off the roadway onto the grassy shoulder. The tanker continued to travel southwest and struck the fence line separating the grassy shoulder from the wood line.

The tanker then overturned and came to rest on its right side, facing southwest. The driver was transported to Sarasota Memorial Hospital with minor injuries.

FHP continues to investigate this traffic crash, with charges pending.

The Breaking News Authority will update this developing story as more information becomes available.

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