TAMPA, Fla. — Authorities continue to investigate the multi-vehicle crash that closed southbound Interstate 275 for five hours overnight and are searching for a driver and passenger that left the scene.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the three-vehicle crash happened just after 9 p.m. when the driver of a sedan changed lanes on I-275 near Waters Avenue and struck the side of a semi, causing it to overturn and catch fire.
The sedan then hit a guard rail, rotated and also overturned. A van, occupied by six people, then collided with the overturned sedan.
The driver of the semi suffered serious injuries, troopers said. No other injuries were reported.
Troopers said they are currently looking for the driver of the sedan and a passenger who left the scene.
All lanes were blocked going southbound and vehicles guided onto Busch Blvd for several hours.
I-275 SB is closed from Busch Blvd to Sligh Ave. Tampa Fire Rescue is on scene of an overturned box truck that is leaking fluids onto the road.
— Tampa Fire Rescue (@TampaFireRescue) December 29, 2022
PIO is on scene.#TampaBayTraffic pic.twitter.com/wrUwpC5wmR
The crash remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.