Beachline Expressway reopens hours after crash involving 2 semi-trucks

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. - A semi-truck caught on fire on the Beachline Expressway (State Road 528) following a crash involving another semi-truck and a car on Monday morning, according to Orange County Fire Rescue. 

The crash happened on Monday morning between the Dallas Boulevard west on-ramp and Innovation Way west near mile marker 19, officials said. 

According to the FHP, a 1998 Freightliner truck-tractor with a flatbed trailer was traveling westbound in the outside lane, while a 2016 Volvo truck-tractor with a container trailer was in the inside lane. Following closely behind in the inside lane was a 2021 Toyota Sienna.

Troopers said the driver of the Freightliner, a 47-year-old man, swerved to the left in an attempt to avoid traffic ahead, which caused the truck to jackknife and collide with the median concrete barrier. Subsequently, the Freightliner entered the direct path of the Volvo truck. Both vehicles became engulfed in flames following the impact. The Toyota Sienna was struck by debris from the collision.

Emergency responders transported the driver of the Freightliner to Waterford Lakes ER Hospital with minor injuries. Meanwhile, the drivers of the other two vehicles remained on the scene and were not transported. 

Fire crews knocked down the fire but said there was possible damage to a nearby bridge. That has some local officials concerned about the safety of the roadway.

"You want to make sure we have safety mechanisms, but also how our infrastructure is built and how well it can sustain things like this," said Orange County Commissioner Mayra Uribe. "Safety, when it comes to transportation, is a top priority, and everything else comes behind it."

 The road was closed for several hours but reopened just after 7 p.m.