OVIEDO, Fla. – An 11-foot alligator crawled onto State Road 417 near Oviedo, forcing authorities to temporarily close the toll road.
The incident happened Wednesday morning on S.R. 417 north near the north end of the bridge over Lake Jesup.
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Traffic cameras showed the gator surrounded by an Oviedo police car and an unmarked Florida Highway Patrol cruiser.
Tail Gator! Thank you media and LEO partners for getting the word out on this 11-footer who strolled out of Lake Jesup this morning and in to Northbound 417 traffic causing quite a jam! @fox35orlando @FHPOrlando @OviedoPD @MyFWC pic.twitter.com/306kx4tB5X
— Seminole County S.O. (@SeminoleSO) April 27, 2022
Drivers were able to get by in the unblocked lane, but the gator later moved to the shoulder and both lanes were reopened.
The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office was also called to investigate.
FHP Lt. Kim Montes said troopers are waiting for a trapper to show up to remove the gator.
It’s not known why the alligator was crossing the road.
Now thats a big boy!!
— “Trooper Steve” Montiero (@TrooperSteve_) April 27, 2022
gator on the right shoulder of northbound SR-417 by Lake Jesup pic.twitter.com/bO3Myq1b31
Um gator in the road ...
— “Trooper Steve” Montiero (@TrooperSteve_) April 27, 2022
NB SR-417 north of Lake Jesup
- TRAFFIC HEAVILY DELAYED pic.twitter.com/BwBPWzjFWB