A significant traffic incident occurred on Monday morning in Osceola County when a semitruck caught fire following a collision with a car on Interstate 4. The crash, which involved a 2017 Ford Focus and the semitruck, happened near mile marker 59, leading to a complete closure of both the eastbound and westbound lanes for several hours.
Witnesses reported flames and smoke rising from the vehicle as emergency crews worked to extinguish the fire. The Florida Highway Patrol indicated that the truck was carrying hazardous materials, specifically fertilizer, which heightened concerns during the incident.
Fortunately, both drivers involved in the collision—a 29-year-old man from New Jersey driving the Ford and a 59-year-old man from Polk City operating the semitruck—escaped unharmed, with no injuries reported and no one requiring hospitalization.
As the situation unfolded, eastbound traffic was reopened around 4 p.m., but the westbound lanes remain blocked at World Drive. Drivers in the area are advised to take alternate routes, such as World Drive to US-192, or toll roads like State Road 429 and State Road 417, while eastbound traffic is being diverted at exit 58.
The investigation into the accident is ongoing, with authorities still working to clarify the circumstances that led to the crash and determine which vehicle may have left its lane.
This alarming event serves as a reminder of the importance of road safety, particularly on busy highways like I-4. Authorities are committed to keeping the public informed as more details emerge, and it is hoped that similar incidents can be prevented in the future.