A fatal tanker truck crash Thursday morning shut down Florida’s Turnpike in both directions in Southwest Miami-Dade County. As of Thursday afternoon, Northbound lanes were open, but authorities advised drivers to expect delays.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the crash, near Southwest 8th Street and Bird Road, occurred after the driver of what appears to be a septic tank truck, lost control of the vehicle causing it to overturn and crash into a concrete median. The truck then caught fire.
The driver was killed. A passenger in the vehicle was able to escape with minor injuries. Hazmat teams were called to the scene to clean-up materials that leaked onto the turnpike, according to WSVN Channel 7.
Authorities are asking the public to avoid the area and seek alternate routes.
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