COLLIER COUNTY – Florida Highway Patrol reported that all northbound and southbound lanes of Interstate 75 through Alligator Alley reopened Friday morning following multiple crashes, including a fatal collision on the southbound side near mile marker 96.
Troopers were first dispatched shortly after midnight. According to FHP, seven vehicles were involved in the primary southbound crash, including three semi-truck combinations and four passenger vehicles. The incident occurred at approximately 12:11 a.m.
FHP stated that Vehicle 1, a semi-truck, stopped in the travel lane due to reduced visibility from smoke. Vehicle 2, also a semi-truck, collided with the rear of Vehicle 1, initiating a chain reaction that involved Vehicles 3 through 7. The sequence of impacts remains under investigation.
A 52-year-old man from Madeira Beach, the driver of a Chevrolet pickup (Vehicle 6), died at the scene. Two passengers in that vehicle—a 38-year-old woman and a 15-year-old boy—sustained serious injuries. The 49-year-old driver of an Audi passenger car was transported with injuries. Other involved drivers reported no injuries.
FHP also confirmed three separate crashes on northbound I-75 near mile marker 95 after midnight.
• Crash One involved two semi-trucks and a pickup truck. No injuries were reported.
• Crash Two involved four passenger vehicles. No injuries were reported.
• Crash Three involved a single passenger vehicle striking a guardrail. No injuries were reported.
Beginning at 2:00 a.m., troopers closed southbound lanes at Exit 101 (County Road 951) and northbound lanes at Exit 80 (State Road 29). Subsequent updates at 7:45 a.m. and 8:15 a.m. noted that northbound lanes reopened first, while southbound lanes remained closed between Exits 101 and 80 until FHP confirmed full reopening at 9:30 a.m.
The primary crash and associated incidents remain under investigation. Additional updates will be released as needed.