Crash involving big rig hauling lumber closes I-95 in Volusia for hours

Traffic diverted from I-95 north to State Road 442

File photo of Florida Highway Patrol cruiser (WJXT 2020)

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – A big rig hauling lumber jackknifed Tuesday morning in Volusia County, forcing troopers to close Interstate 95 for hours, officials said.

According to troopers, the crash happened around 7:13 a.m. on I-95 north near State Road 442, mile marker 248, in New Smyrna Beach.

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All northbound lanes of I-95 were blocked in the area and diverted onto SR-442 until the roadblock was cleared around 10:20 a.m., the Florida Highway Patrol said.

FHP said an SUV, driven by a 41-year-old Edgewater woman, was traveling north on I-95 in the center lane at the same time the semitruck, driven by a 62-year-old man, traveled on the same road in the outside lane. Another SUV with a U-Haul trailer, driven by a 61-year-old Edgewater man, also traveled ahead of the big rig.

The woman driving the SUV made a wrong lane change into the path of the big rig, causing the semitruck driver to brake to avoid crashing before he lost control, FHP said.

According to troopers, the front of the semi then struck the rears of the two SUVs, causing the Edgewater woman to run off the roadway onto the shoulder and the big rig and U-Haul trailer to collide. As a result, the semitruck jackknifed, blocking all northbound lanes on I-95, troopers said.

FHP said the Edgewater woman was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and the other two drivers were not injured.

An investigation is ongoing.