Two killed in fiery pileup that shut down I-75

Florida police say that two people — including a truck driver — are dead and five others were injured in a serious pileup involving eight vehicles on Wednesday night.

The crash was reported around 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 13, on northbound I-75 in New Tampa, Florida.

According to local news outlet WWSB, several vehicles slowed in the outside northbound lanes of I-75 near mile marker 272 for traffic.

Police say that a semi truck driver didn’t slow in time and tried to take evasive action into the center lane but still crashed into several vehicles including a second semi truck, then hit a concrete pillar supporting an overhead highway sign.

A Mercedes was sandwiched between the two trucks.

The first semi truck and the Mercedes both caught fire. Both of these drivers died.

The Pasco County Fire Rescue says that a total of eight vehicles were involved in the pileup.

At least five others were injured in the crash.

The pileup shut down northbound I-75 for hours for cleanup and investigation. All lanes were reopened for morning rush hour on Thursday.

The crash is still under investigation.