One driver was killed, and another was seriously injured, after three semi-trucks were involved in a fiery crash on Florida’s Turnpike in Osceola County early Wednesday morning.
The fatal accident occurred shortly after 3:15 a.m. on Wednesday, December 3, on Florida’s Turnpike southbound, near mile marker 248, according to a report from the Florida Highway Patrol.
A total of three vehicles were involved in the crash: a 2025 Freightliner semi-truck, a 2013 Volvo semi-truck, and a 2018 semi-truck with a double trailer. The report stated that the Freightliner was in front of the Volvo, and the Volvo was in front of the third semi-truck as the vehicles traveled southbound on the Turnpike in the outside lane.
As the semi-trucks approached mile marker 248, the drivers of the Freightliner and Volvo slowed for traffic ahead. However, the driver of the third semi-truck failed to slow in time, and the vehicle proceeded to rear-end the Volvo.
After the initial collision, the Volvo collided with the rear section of the Freightliner.
Moments later, flames partially engulfed the third semi-truck, and the driver was pronounced deceased at the scene. A trooper noted in the report that the Medical Examiner’s Office will notify FHP once the driver has been identified.
The Volvo’s driver, a 38-year-old Orlando man, was transported to HCA Florida Osceola Hospital for treatment of serious injuries sustained in the crash.
The driver of the Freightliner, a 55-year-old man from Hollywood, was not hurt and remained on-scene.
The crash remains under investigation, according to FHP.