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All lanes reopened after multi-vehicle crash blocks left lanes on I-75 North, before Fletcher Avenue exit

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  Published in Automotive and Transportation on Thursday, October 2nd 2025 at 0:29 GMT by tampabay28.com
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Multi‑Vehicle Crash Blocks Left Lanes on I‑75 North Before Fletcher Avenue Exit, Causing Morning Congestion

A multi‑vehicle collision on Interstate 75 (I‑75) northbound just before the Fletcher Avenue exit in Hillsborough County has disrupted traffic for much of the morning. The crash, involving six vehicles, left the two left‑hand lanes of the freeway closed from 7:20 a.m. until the end of the day, forcing commuters to divert into the right‑hand lane or onto nearby surface streets.

What Happened?

According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO), the wreck occurred at the intersection of I‑75 and Fletcher Avenue, roughly 5 miles west of downtown Tampa. The incident happened early in the weekday rush hour, a period when the highway routinely carries over 30,000 vehicles per day. The sheriff’s dispatch record shows the crash was reported to 7:20 a.m. A traffic‑camera feed, later posted on the HCSO’s public website, captured a rear‑end collision that escalated into a chain reaction involving a pickup truck, a sedan, a minivan, a van, and two SUVs.

The vehicles were all traveling northbound at the time of the impact. The HCSO report indicates that the crash began when the driver of the pickup truck lost control and slammed into the rear of a minivan. The ensuing pile‑up forced the vehicles to jackknife against the median and a safety barrier, which in turn caused a second collision involving the sedan and van.

Traffic Impact

Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) officials confirmed that the left lanes were closed until approximately 10:30 a.m. as emergency crews cleared debris and assessed the safety of the roadway. A posted sign at the exit indicated that the right‑hand lane remained open, but the traffic volume on that lane increased dramatically, causing a backup that stretched half a mile south of Fletcher Avenue.

By 11:30 a.m., FDOT cleared the wreckage and opened the left lanes again. However, traffic remained sluggish, with a 12‑minute delay reported by local radio station WUSF for vehicles traveling from downtown Tampa toward the western suburbs. The incident also caused a spill‑over of congestion onto the nearby Fletcher Avenue surface street, which normally serves as a local shortcut during peak hours.

Casualties and Safety

At the time of the reporting, no injuries were reported by the HCSO or FDOT. The sheriff’s office noted that the crash involved no fatalities or serious injuries, and that all drivers were released from the scene after a quick medical check. An FDOT spokesman emphasized that the absence of serious injuries is a testament to the resilience of modern vehicle safety features, such as seatbelts and reinforced cabins.

Official Statements

“The first responders on the scene were swift in their actions,” said Sheriff John M. “We are grateful that the incident did not result in any injuries.” The sheriff’s office also thanked FDOT for the rapid response and for maintaining a clear communication line with the public through their online traffic updates.

An FDOT traffic engineer added that the crash was a reminder of the importance of staying alert during peak traffic times: “We’re monitoring the traffic patterns on I‑75 daily, and while incidents like this are rare, they do happen. We urge motorists to keep a safe following distance and to avoid lane changes unless absolutely necessary.”

Further Information

Readers looking for real‑time updates or wishing to view the traffic‑camera footage can consult the HCSO’s traffic portal. FDOT maintains an incident‑reporting page that documents the details of the crash, including the time the lanes reopened and any safety recommendations that were issued. Local news outlets, including Tampa Bay 28’s own “Traffic” segment, have also provided live coverage and expert commentary on the incident’s impact on the region’s morning commute.

Conclusion

While the multi‑vehicle collision on I‑75 north before Fletcher Avenue caused a temporary bottleneck, the quick response from Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and Florida Department of Transportation ensured that the lanes were cleared in a matter of hours. With no injuries reported, the incident underscores both the risks inherent in rush‑hour driving and the effectiveness of emergency protocols in minimizing harm. As commuters resume their routines, the incident serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of maintaining safe driving habits on heavily trafficked highways.