Fiery crash closes I-95 in Brevard County

Big rig driver fell asleep while driving, FHP says

COCOA, Fla. – A fiery crash involving a tractor-trailer, a car carrier and a pickup truck forced officials to close I-95 early Friday in Brevard County.

[TRAFFIC ALERT:  Check conditions for your commute]

The crash happened around 1:30 a.m. in the southbound lanes of I-95 near the Beachline.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the driver of the pickup was helping the driver of the car carrier change a tire when a big rig sideswiped the carrier and burst into flames.  The drivers, later identified as Alejandro Sigler, 48, of Hialeah, and Fernando Camacho, 49, of Deltona, were not seriously injured.

Troopers said it appears the driver of the big rig, identified as Walter Stargell, 48, of Georgia, fell asleep at the wheel, causing the crash.  He was not injured.

Diesel fuel leaked from the truck that caused the crash, igniting the pickup and car carrier, said troopers, who added that the big rig rolled off the interstate and crashed.  The big rig and the pickup truck were destroyed in the blaze, troopers said.

A nearby wooded area also caught fire, and flames approached some nearby homes, but no damage was reported.

One lane of I-95 southbound was reopened several hours after the crash and the other lanes were reopened later.

A firefighter was treated for heat exhaustion but was expected to be OK.

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