A shifting load of lumber caused significant traffic delays on Interstate 75 Thursday morning after it broke through the cab of a tractor-trailer and spilled onto the roadway.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the incident occurred at approximately 7:20 a.m. on July 16, 2026, in the southbound lanes of I-75 near Milepost 245.
Troopers said a tractor-trailer driven by a 31-year-old Lake Wales man was traveling southbound when traffic ahead slowed abruptly. As the driver braked, the load of lumber shifted forward with enough force to crash through the truck’s cab and front windshield before spilling onto the interstate.
Despite the dramatic damage, the driver was not injured, and no other vehicles were involved in the incident.
The crash scene required the closure of the two outside southbound lanes while crews removed the debris. The lanes remained closed until approximately 8:40 a.m.
The driver was cited for failure to secure a load.
The Florida Highway Patrol investigated the incident.