HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – A heavy tractor-trailer overturned at a major Brandon intersection sent commuters into a tailspin early Wednesday morning, leaving a mess of steel and rubber across the roadway for several hours.
The Florida Highway Patrol reported that the incident began at approximately 5:48 AM when a 48-year-old Tampa man was heading eastbound on Causeway Boulevard in a large tractor-trailer.
As the driver reached the intersection of US-301, he attempted to negotiate a left-hand turn. However, state troopers determined that the maneuver was made at a “higher than safe speed,” causing the massive vehicle to lose its balance and flip onto its side.
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The wreckage came to a rest across the northbound lanes of US-301, effectively severing a primary artery for morning travelers. First responders arrived to find the truck blocking multiple lanes, but the driver managed to walk away from the cab without any injuries. No other vehicles were involved in the crash.
Cleanup crews worked through the peak of the morning rush to clear the scene and upright the trailer.
The northbound side of the highway remained closed for over two hours as workers managed the debris. According to the FHP, all lanes were finally reopened and traffic flow returned to normal by 8:15 AM.
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