Fatal crash closes I-75 southbound in Sarasota

A significant wreck resulted in the closure of the southbound lanes of Interstate 75 near the border of Sarasota and Manatee counties, according to the Bradenton Police Department on Tuesday morning, August 16th.

Bradenton police said at 10:47 a.m. that FHP reported a fatal crash.

Highway Patrol and the Sarasota Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene, and the sheriff’s office tweeted a photo of the crash, sending a large plume of smoke into the air.

The crash appears to result from a catastrophic tire failure. Reports indicate that the driver was beginning to exit onto Fruitville Rd. when the tire blew, causing the vehicle to overturn, engulfing in flames.”

Many civilians attempted to rescue those in the vehicle but were unsuccessful. Neither the driver nor the passenger survived.