1 dead, 2 injured in tractor trailer collision

MEDLEY, Fla. (WSVN) -- One person is dead and two others are recovering in the hospital after a serious accident involving two tractor trailers.

Investigators said the driver of one truck was traveling eastbound on North Okeechobee and Northwest 138th Street when it collided with the other truck. Police said the impact tore one of the trailers in half and sent its cabin over the side of a nearby bridge and into the water below.

Florida Highway Patrol said two of three passengers trapped inside the cabin were able to escape. "One was able to get out and climb out of the canal, and the other one was able to survive by finding an air pocket in the cab," said FHP Officer Joe Sanchez.

The third victim died on scene.

Rescue crews transported the two passengers to area hospitals, where their condition is unknown.

The driver of the tractor trailer torn in half said he has no idea what happened. "I don't know what happened, I don't know what happened. I don't know where the truck came from. I don't see the truck at all, I just felt the hit, and that's it," said Lazaro Rojas. "When I get out to see what happened, that's when I find out it was an accident."

The collision also caused a large mess on the roads, spilling boxes of sugar that was in Rojas' tractor trailers.

Southbound Okeechobee Road is shutdown at Northwest 112th Court due to this accident investigation. All southbound traffic is being re-routed. "We thank the motorists for their patience, as you can see, we rerouted the traffic to make sure the people can get to work, but I understand the people," said Sanchez. He went on to say, "Understand our responsibility investigating this accident and finding closure to this investigation."

Police are still investigating and charges remain pending.

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