A major stretch of Florida's Turnpike remains closed following a devastating and fatal multi-vehicle collision that claimed the life of a truck driver and sent shockwaves through the morning commute.
The catastrophic incident occurred in the northbound lanes near Mile Marker 229 in Osceola County, just south of the bustling Orlando metropolitan area. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a semi-truck, a sedan, and an SUV were involved in the fiery pile-up just before 7 a.m. on Wednesday.
Fiery Aftermath and Tragic Loss
The impact of the collision was so severe that the truck driver, identified as 59-year-old Harjinder Singh from California, was tragically pronounced dead at the scene. The cab of his truck became engulfed in flames, creating a terrifying scene for first responders.
"Our troopers are on scene of a fatal crash… The northbound lanes are shutdown at mile marker 229," the Florida Highway Patrol stated in an initial alert, warning motorists to expect significant delays and seek alternate routes immediately.
Chaos and Closures on a Key Transport Route
The closure has caused immense disruption along a critical transport corridor, with traffic being diverted off the turnpike at the Kissimmee exit (Interstate 4 exit 244). The southbound lanes, while remaining open, are experiencing severe congestion as drivers slow to observe the ongoing emergency response.
Clean-up and investigation efforts are expected to continue for many hours, with officials urging the public to avoid the area entirely. The cause of the crash is now under a full investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol's traffic homicide unit.
