Overturned tractor trailer shuts down Interstate 4 at Dirksen

FHP: Driver of truck in very critical condition after accident

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Florida Highway Patrol says the westbound lanes of Interstate 4 at Dirksen were shut down Friday night due to an overturned tractor trailer blocking all of the lanes.

The driver of the truck was flown out in very critical condition, according to FHP.

Drivers headed eastbound were also at a slow crawl after one lane was shut down as emergency workers filled the median.

Starting at 8:30 p.m. Friday, vehicles began to back up for miles.

Annette May faced the sea of red brake lights with a sick newborn in the backseat.

"We got stuck in the traffic jam. I was in the car by myself with my baby in back and he started vomiting," said May, who for an hour weaved in an out of lanes trying to find an exit. "People let us out and let us back in. I pulled over 3 times before I started driving in the [hazard] lane. People were kind but maybe they saw we were back there tending to a baby."

Among the kind drivers were the impatient ones. Dozens of drivers illegally crossed the median to turn around, and many more used the hazard lanes.

By 10 p.m. drivers slowly were able to pass the wreck and traffic began to clear.


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