1 dead, 1 rescued in box truck accident on overpass

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (WSVN) -- A passenger found unresponsive in a bakery box truck that was dangling over the overpass of State Road 84 after a crash has died.

The accident happened at about 5:30 a.m. Wednesday on S.R. 84 over the northbound lanes of Interstate 95. Investigators said the driver of a Tracy Bakery truck lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a guardrail, nearly toppling over the cement wall and on to I-95.

Crews arrived on scene and were able to rescue the driver immediately using a ladder truck. "And they were able to send their ladder up to the cab of the suspended truck, they got the driver out of the cab of the truck and they assisted him to crawl down the ladder to safety," said Fort Lauderdale Police Detective Deanna Garcia.

Paramedics transported the driver to Broward General Medical Center, where he is listed in stable condition.

The box truck dangled over the side of the overpass, with the unresponsive passenger still inside, until tow crews arrived and harnessed the truck.

Crews were able to lift the truck back on to S.R. 84. but the passenger was pronounced dead on scene.

Traffic was at a standstill for hours but all lanes of I-95 have since reopened.

The bakery's manager is now speaking out about the tragic accident. Mary Rodriguez said she doesn't know why her driver took I-95 to get to Tampa for a scheduled delivery at 10 a.m. "It's very upsetting to hear what happened. We don't know how the accident occurred, but when there's a fatality involved, it's very difficult," she said.

Rodriguez said she doesn't know who the passenger was and that drivers are prohibited from having passengers with them.

She is now focused on her driver's recovery and helping him get through this tragedy. "He's alert, awake, he's good. Of course very shaken up; very upset," said Rodriguez. "Our concern right now is trying to get to him as quickly as possible."

Tracy Bakery is located in Palmetto Bay, FL.

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