Hit-and-run crash leads to second crash, major backups on southbound I-75 in Lee County

A hit-and-run crash on I-75 in Lee County early Monday morning sent two people to the hospital with minor injuries and lead to another crash and major traffic backups.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the primary crash took place as an SUV was traveling south in the outside lane of I-75, between Colonial Boulevard and Daniels Parkway, around 2:30 a.m. The driver and passenger of the SUV have yet to be identified by FHP. A pickup truck (also with a yet-unidentified driver and passenger) was traveling in the center lane, ahead of the SUV. The SUV made an improper lane change from the outside lane to the center lane, the front left of the SUV colliding with the rear right of the pickup.

The SUV continued forward, collided with the guardrail and came to rest on the paved shoulder. The pickup truck came to rest on the center lane. After the collision, the driver and passenger of the pickup truck ran away from the scene. The driver and passenger of the SUV were transported to an area hospital with minor injuries. Their identities remain under investigation.

The disabled pickup truck from the primary crash remained in the center lane of southbound I-75, without its lights on. A semitruck car hauler driven by a 41-year-old man from Simpsonville, South Carolina, was traveling south in the center lane of I-75 at mile marker 132 when it was forced to swerve to avoid the pickup. The front of the car hauler still collided with the left side of the pickup truck before traveling off the roadway and colliding with several trees.

The crash remains under investigation. Anyone with information regarding this crash can contact FHP at *FHP or Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-8477.