PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — A big rig's tire "blow out" caused a crash Tuesday afternoon that shut down part of Interstate 75 near County Road 41 in Pasco County for several hours, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The crash happened just after 1 p.m. Tuesday. FHP troopers say the big rig was driving in the outside lane when its front left tire appeared to "blow out," according to a witness, which caused it to veer into the center lane and hit the right rear end of a Land O' Lakes Recycling truck.
The collision caused the big rig to veer back onto the outside shoulder, causing the big rig's cab to rotate and "jackknife" as it continued to move on the shoulder. It then overturned onto its side.
The recycling truck came to a stop in the center lane.
Skid marks on the interstate told the story of just how serious the crash was. An FHP report said the 18-wheeler left nearly 200 feet of skid marks. The recycling truck left 463 feet of skid marks.
The big rig driver was airlifted to an area hospital with "incapacitating" injuries, according to FHP. The recycling truck driver, from Brooksville, was taken to AdventHealth Wesley Chapel with possible injuries.
Traffic was temporarily diverted off the interstate as a medical helicopter was picking up the 18-wheeler driver. The highway later reopened around 3:30 p.m.
