NewsHillsborough County

Actions

Semi carrying mail advertisements causes major delays on SB I-75 near Big Bend Road in Hillsborough

Posted at 8:40 AM, Oct 28, 2019
and last updated 2019-10-28 12:55:33-04

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — Drivers experienced major delays on southbound I-75 Monday morning after a semi carrying advertisements for a mailing company was involved in an accident.

The accident occurred on SB I-75 near Big Bend Road, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.

The Florida Highway Patrol said a semi, transporting water and produce, was having two flat tires serviced on the paved shoulder of I-75 when the driver of another semi "failed to maintain a single lane, partially entered the outside shoulder and collided with the rear" of the stopped semi.

FHP originally said the semi, that hit the stopped semi, was transporting U.S. mail but a spokesperson for the U.S. Postal Service said, "the incident did not involve a postal vehicle. The trailer was transporting advertisements for a mailing company. There was no First-Class Mail or Postal Service packages on the trailer."

Video from Action Air 1 showed the advertisements all over the outer two lanes of I-75, causing only one lane to be open for drivers to pass by.

Mail carrier truck accident causes delays on SB I-75 in Hillsborough County

HILLSBOROUGH NEWS | The latest headlines from Hillsborough County

FHP said the driver of the semi transporting the advertisements was transported to St. Joseph's with serious injuries.

There was a more than two-hour delay on I-75. Since then, all lanes have reopened.

Editor's Note: The story has been updated to show that the semi was carrying "advertisements for a mailing company" and not U.S. mail, per a U. S. Postal Service spokesperson.