KISSIMMEE, Fla. – A semitrailer driver was killed early Wednesday when his rig slammed into the back of another tractor-trailer and caught fire on Florida’s Turnpike in Osceola County, the Florida Highway Patrol said.
The fatal three-vehicle wreck happened around 3:15 a.m. in the southbound lanes of the Turnpike at mile marker 248, south of Osceola Parkway near Kissimmee.
The FHP said the driver of a semi with a double trailer did not notice traffic was slowing ahead of him when he struck the back of another big rig that crashed into a tractor-trailer in front of it.
The semitrailer that failed to slow caught fire, and the driver was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the FHP.
[VIDEO BELOW: Trooper Steve details fatal crash on Turnpike]
The driver of the rig that was first struck from behind, a 38-year-old Orlando man, was taken to HCA Florida Osceola Hospital with serious injuries, troopers said.
The other driver, a 55-year-old Hollywood man, was not injured and remained at the scene.
The FHP said the driver who died has not yet been identified.
Traffic was closed in this part of the Turnpike for hours. Most are back open. One right southbound lane is closed in that area for emergency road construction, according to Florida 511.
On Wednesday evening, the Florida Department of Transportation, noted that emergency road work in the area is related to the crash.
“The heat from the incident damaged the roadway surface, and our crews are onsite making the necessary repairs to ensure the roadway is in optimal condition for drivers before reopening,” officials said in a release.
FDOT officials said that repairs will continue into the evening.
[FLASHBACK VIDEO: November crash closes Turnpike in Osceola]