TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Traffic is flowing on I-275 after a crash shut down the southbound lanes Friday morning.
The incident happened just east of the Veterans Expressway interchange and south of Lois Ave., at around 10:30 a.m.
According to a release from the Florida Highway Patrol, the 33-year-old driver from Lake Wales told troopers he thought he saw a vehicle parked on the outside shoulder. He said the “phantom vehicle”, as FHP called it, veered into the right lane and cut him off.
The driver slammed on the brakes, causing two utility poles to break free from tie-downs on the trailer and crash through the cab of the truck. Aerial footage from Eagle 8 HD showed the poles sticking out through both the front and rear windshields.
The poles were made of metal and concrete and belonged to Duke Energy, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Each pole weighed 5,467 lbs.
Crews have cleared the site of the crash and all lanes have reopened. The driver was not hurt in the incident.
