FHP: Drowsy driver caused fiery I-95 crash

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — A drowsy driver of a tractor-trailer crashed into a car carrier, and then a pickup truck Friday morning, causing a fiery wreck, authorities said.

The southbound of I-95, just south of the Beachline, were closed for six hours while crews cleaned up the scene.

WFTV reporter Steve Barrett found out that two of the vehicles involved caught fire.

The drivers who were in the burned trucks were able to escape and run to safety.

Officials said the driver of the car carrier had just finished changing a tire when a tractor-trailer sideswiped his truck, and then crashed into another vehicle.

The car carrier driver was on the opposite side of his truck when it was struck.

"The driver was on the right side of the vehicle. Now, the female was still in the F-150 when it was struck and burst into flames. She was able to get out of it and they all ran back away from the scene," said Trooper C.L. Johnson of the Florida Highway Patrol.

The driver of the truck that caused the crash was also able to get out - before his vehicle burst into flames as well. Troopers said they believe he fell asleep.

The trailer was filled with Styrofome cups and plates that burned for more than an hour.

One firefighter had to be treated for heat exhaustion during the firefight, but other than that, everyone is fine.

"Usually accidents like this, there's usually at least one fatality. Generally it's in the tractor-trailer from what I've seen in my career," said District Chief Robert Seccuro of Brevard County Fire Rescue.

The names of those involved were not released.

The driver of the tractor-trailer has not been charged yet, authorities said.

Earlier this year, the Centers for Disease Control released a report on sleepy drivers. It found more than four-percent of drivers polled said they've dosed off before.

The report also found that every year, about 60,000 thousand crashes are blamed on drowsy drivers.

WFTV