A fatal crash Monday night closed both directions of I-275 between I-75 and Bearss Avenue for more than six hours, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The crash happened around 11:45 p.m. when a van with no lights on was stopped in the center lane of the southbound highway for an unknown reason. A tractor-trailer was also heading southbound, and smashed into the rear of the van.
The van immediately burst into flames, and was pushed into the northbound lanes where it came to rest.
The semi-truck stopped in the southbound lanes.
The driver of the van sustained fatal injuries and died at the scene.
Southbound traffic was diverted at the I-75/I-275 split just south of Wesley Chapel, while northbound traffic was made to exit at Bearss Avenue in North Tampa.
The highway was cleared around 6:15 a.m.
This story is developing. Refresh your browser for the latest.
