Deadly I-4 Polk Pileup

[Pres_of_2036]

POLK COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- Law enforcement officers say at least three people were killed Wednesday morning in a series of accidents on Interstate 4.

Smoky conditions from Tuesday's controlled burn that grew out of control, as well as morning fog, led to the crashes.

The accidents took place in a 14 mile stretch of I-4 near Polk City. The interstate will likely be closed all of Wednesday and perhaps into Thursday.

The accidents began about 5 a.m. Wednesday. There were two large pileups, one involving 41 vehicles and one involving 19 vehicles.

The latests figures are:

Three fatalities
16 injuries
6 tractor trailers destroyed
Five cars on fire
70 total vehicles involved

The Interstate is closed between the Polk Parkway and U.S. Highway 27. Traffic is backed up on both sides of the closures.

At a press conference late Wednesday morning, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd described the scene as a "major disaster" on I-4.

"We have a very intense situation here," Judd said. "Our firefighters and certainly our EMT's went into a situation where you could see absolutely nothing in front of you. It was as if you hit a wall of smoke and fog."

Victims with the most serious injuries were taken to Lakeland Regional Medical Center, which is the closest trauma center from the accident scene.

Earlier Wednesday, the hospital activated their emergency preparedness plan for mass casualties. That has since been deactivated.

Two people taken to Lakeland Regional Medical Center are in critical condition.

Less seriously injured victims were taken to Winter Haven Hospital.

Firefighters had to deal with car fires throughout the morning as well as monitor the brush fire that consumed more than 600 acres of rural land near mile marker 55.

Visibility was near zero in some areas along the road during the early part of the morning.

Judd said one of his deputy's was involved in one of the first accidents and tried to help afterwards.


"He said to me' I did all that I could but I watched a man burn to death today and I heard others screaming and crying,'" Judd said.

http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2008/1/9/315767.html?title=At+least+three+dead,+many+injured+in+I-4+crashes

[HARTride 2012]

Sadly, the toll has risen to four since 3pm.

The latest news update from Bay News 9

I-4 remains closed after horrific morning crashes
Wednesday, January 9, 2008

POLK COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- Interstate 4 in Polk County remains closed after morning s that killed at least four people.

Smoky conditions from Tuesday's controlled burn that grew out of control, as well as morning fog, led to the crashes.

The s took place in a 14 mile stretch of I-4 near Polk City. The interstate will likely be closed all of Wednesday and perhaps into Thursday.

The s began about 5 a.m. Wednesday. There were two large pileups, one involving 41 vehicles and one involving 19 vehicles.

Witnesses said visibility was less than five feet.

People involved in the crashes said they couldn't see what was happening; they could only hear the screeching of metal as multiple vehicles plowed into each other.

"It was just crash after crash after crash," one eyewitness said.

The latests figures are:

* Four ities
* 38 people transported to hospitals
* Five life-threatening injuries
* 20 tractor trailers involved
* Six trailers destroyed
* Five cars on fire
* 70 total vehicles involved

The Interstate is closed between the Polk Parkway and U.S. Highway 27.

Sheriff: A 'major disaster'

At a press conference late Wednesday morning, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd described the scene as a "major disaster" on I-4.

"We have a very intense situation here," Judd said. "Our firefighters and certainly our EMT's went into a situation where you could see absolutely nothing in front of you. It was as if you hit a wall of smoke and fog."

"He said to me' I did all that I could but I watched a man burn to today and I heard others screaming and crying,'" Judd said.
Judd said one of his deputies was involved in one of the first s and tried to help afterwards.

Victims with the most serious injuries were taken to Lakeland Regional Medical Center, which is the closest trauma center from the scene.
Earlier Wednesday, the hospital activated their emergency preparedness plan for mass casualties. That has since been deactivated.
Less seriously injured victims were taken to Winter Haven Hospital.

Controlled burn contributes to crashes

After a controlled burn escaped the perimeter on Tuesday afternoon, the blaze quickly grew near I-4 and Old Grade Road, near mile marker 55.

Complicating matters was a previous hot spot that flared up on Tuesday and merged with the controlled burn fire.

Officials started another controlled burn Wednesday morning, which added to the already smoky conditions.

Firefighters had to deal with car fires throughout the morning as well as monitor the brush fire that consumed more than 600 acres of rural land near mile marker 55.

http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2008/1/9/315767.html?title=I-4+remains+closed+after+horrific+morning+crashes

[TU 'cane]

wow, so unfortunate...

[HARTride 2012]

First off, my prayers go to all who were involved in this terrible incident.

Secondly, this incident is probably one of the worst, if not the worst, traffic incident in Florida. Interstate 4 will be closed for a couple days at least as the investigation goes on. Also, tolls remain suspended for the Polk Parkway until further notice due to the incident. FDOT is constantly reevaluating the need to suspend tolls further on.

Third, anyone going through Polk within the next couple days (until I-4 is opened again) are advised to use the following alternates.

# Travelers in Polk County can head east on U.S. Highway 92 and connect to Highway 17-92, which leads into Orlando.
# Drivers between Tampa and Orlando can go north on Interstate 75 to State Road 50 and go east to Orlando.
# Or go east from Tampa on State Road 60 to the Florida Turnpike and then head north. The turnpike connects with Interstate 4 in Orange County.

(http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2008/1/9/315839.html?title=Interstate+4+detours)

[tampamobster21]

I hope all that were transported to the hospital are ok!

[Pres_of_2036]

FDOT should have full blame for this. This happened yesterday with the combination of fog and smoke and knew that visibility was awful on that stretch. They knew that today would be the same as yesterday, but did no take responsible action to protect the lifes of the people on the roads. I know it isn't the time for blaming, but FDOT knew that they had to close this part of I-4

My thoughts and prayers go out to the families that lost someone and all the victims of the accident.

[HARTride 2012]

FHP should have closed the road knowing the situation...simple.

Anyways, we shall see if anyone is at fault as the investigation goes on.

[HARTride 2012]

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&ll=28.202768,-81.66687&spn=1.069854,1.867676&z=9&om=1&msid=100257730779234832765.0004435248283a8b83776

I did this on a short note, so sorry if there are any errors. I do believe I placed open collaboration, so that anyone can modify the map if need be.

[HARTride 2012]

The latest update

Fog, smoke stall cleanup, investigation on I-4
Thursday, January 10, 2008

POLK COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- Roads crews and traffic investigators are awaiting another morning of dense fog and smoke before cleanup can continue on Wednesday's ly Interstate 4 pile up.

The same limited visibility that played the major role in Wednesday's fiery crashes that killed four people and injured as many as 38 people in Polk County are hindering the process of getting a portion of Interstate 4 reopened.

The 14 mile stretch of I-4 near Polk City where the s occurred remains closed today.

Thursday morning's conditions are affecting other roads in that area as well as County Road 557 and 557a were closed in the early morning hours due to the dense mix of smoke and fog.

Later, 559 and Polk City Road also were closed.

In fact, a dense fog advisory was issued early Thursday morning for Polk County.

The delay has road repair crews waiting.

The crews have been on hand since Wednesday night prepping to repair the portions of the interstate damaged when six tractor trailers and five cars were completely burned.

About 650 feet of burned asphalt have to scraped off the road before resurfacing can take place.

Also, Florida Highway Patrol homicide investigators are awaiting clear conditions to begin their investigation.

http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2008/1/10/316024.html?title=Fog,+smoke+stall+cleanup,+investigation+on+I-4

[HARTride 2012]

:cheer:

FHP: I-4 could possibly open tonight
Thursday, January 10, 2008

POLK COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- Roads crews have been working on Interstate 4 all day after Wednesday's deadly accidents left pavement damaged.

Work was stopped about 3 a.m. Thursday morning after another batch of fog and smoke mixed together hampering visibility, but since then crews have been working nonstop and the road could reopen Thursday evening.

Wednesday's fiery crashes killed four people and injured as many as 38. About 70 vehicles were involved in numerous crashes.

Thursday morning's conditions affected other roads in that area as well, closing County Road 557 and 557A in the early morning hours.

Later, County Road 559, Old Grade Road just north of the interstate and Polk City Road also were closed.

The crews have been on hand since Wednesday night prepping to repair the portions of the interstate damaged when six tractor trailers and five cars were completely burned.

About 650 feet of burned asphalt had to scraped off the road before any resurfacing could take place. DOT crews also had to dig up land in the median of the highway where gallons of oil and gasoline had been spilled.

"It's a process called milling," said DOT spokesperson Cindy Clemmons-Adente. "You have to go through and remove the bad roadway and then go back and lay down the new asphalt and let it cool."

The DOT had to secure an emergency contract to repair the roadway at a cost of $300,000, officials said.

Also, Florida Highway Patrol homicide investigators will exam the scene and wrecked vehicles that have been towed to a nearby lot.

http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2008/1/10/316024.html?title=FHP:+I-4+could+possibly+open+tonight

[HARTride 2012]

According to FHP and various news bureaus, I-4 is set to re-open around 6:30pm tonight after being shut down from the massive pileup on Tuesday.

[HARTride 2012]

Interstate 4 has reopened in both directions
Thursday, January 10, 2008

POLK COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- Interstate 4 has reopened in both directions.

Roads crews had been working on the highway all day after Wednesday's deadly accidents left pavement damaged.

Work was stopped about 3 a.m. Thursday morning after another batch of fog and smoke mixed together hampering visibility, but since then crews have been working nonstop.

There is a possibility I-4 could be closed again early Friday morning if heavy fog moves in again. Fog is at least partially to blame for the series of crashes that killed four people and injured as many as 38. About 70 vehicles were involved in numerous crashes.
More Information

* The first car hits the roadWatch Video
* Three investigations underway
* Thursday morning fogWatch Video
* Repair crews prepWatch Video
* Damaged carsWatch Video
* U.S. mail truck destroyed
* Disaster on I-4
* FHP press releases about crashes
* One family's story
* Did you drive in Polk County while I-4 was closed? Tell us your story.

About 650 feet of burned asphalt had to scraped off the road before any resurfacing could take place.

"It's a process called milling," said DOT spokesperson Cindy Clemmons-Adente. "You have to go through and remove the bad roadway and then go back and lay down the new asphalt and let it cool."

DOT crews also had to dig up land in the median of the highway where gallons of oil and gasoline had been spilled.

The DOT had to secure an emergency contract to repair the roadway at a cost of $300,000, officials said.

Florida Highway Patrol homicide investigators will exam the scene and wrecked vehicles that have been towed to a nearby lot.

http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2008/1/10/316024.html?title=Interstate+4+has+reopened+in+both+directions

[HARTride 2012]

Interstate 4 open for the commute
Friday, January 11, 2008

POLK COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- Interstate 4 was back open for the morning commute Friday.

Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) troopers monitored I-4 for possible problems due to fog.

A dense fog advisory had been issued for several counties.

"What we'll be watching over the next hour or two is if the winds go calm and that could allow for some areas of dense fog to develop," said Bay News 9 Meteorologist Juli Marquez.

Troopers were stationed at exits from the Polk Parkway to U.S. 27 but did not report any visibilty problems. FHP also had roving units on east and west I-4 monitoring the situation.

The interstate reopened in both directions Thursday evening after being closed about 36 hours.

However, one roadway remained closed Friday morning.

Old Grade Road, between Fussell Road and I-4, is closed until further notice because of ing smoke from the brushfire that started Tuesday night.

Some of the muck and underbrush along Old Grade Road is smoldering.

Roads crews had been working on the highway all day Thursday after Wednesday's ly s left pavement damaged.

Work was stopped about 3 a.m. Thursday morning after another batch of fog and smoke mixed together hampering visibility, but since then crews have been working nonstop.

There was a possibility I-4 could be closed again early Friday morning if heavy fog moved in again. Fog is at least partially to blame for the series of crashes that killed four people and injured as many as 38. About 70 vehicles were involved in numerous crashes.

About 650 feet of burned asphalt had to be scraped off the road before any resurfacing could take place.

"It's a process called milling," said DOT spokesperson Cindy Clemmons-Adente. "You have to go through and remove the bad roadway and then go back and lay down the new asphalt and let it cool."

DOT crews also had to dig up land in the median of the highway where gallons of oil and gasoline had been spilled.

The DOT had to secure an emergency contract to repair the roadway at a cost of $300,000, officials said.

http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2008/1/11/316024.html?title=Interstate+4+open+for+the+commute

[HARTride 2012]

:ohno:

The legal fest in the I-4 pileup begins

After crash, blame game and legal questions start

By MIKE BRASSFIELD and JESSICA VANDER VELDE, Times Staff Writer
Published January 12, 2008

Now that Interstate 4 has reopened, the finger pointing has begun.

Who was at fault for a horrific 70-vehicle pileup that killed four people and injured 38 more? Was it Mother Nature, drivers speeding through fog, or state officials who started a smoky fire?

Three separate state investigations are under way. Crash victims are hiring lawyers and talking about suing the state. Many of the issues surrounding Wednesday's disaster may well end up in courtrooms.

Here are the latest developments on I-4:

* Fog shouldn't be a problem on the road this weekend. "We think some patchy areas of fog will develop after midnight early today, but nowhere near to the extent it was over the last few days," said Tom Dougherty of the National Weather Service in Ruskin. "We expect none at all on Sunday."
* The Florida Highway Patrol on Friday cited eight drivers for careless driving in eight minor collisions that occurred on westbound I-4 an hour to 90 minutes after the biggest, deadliest crash happened in sudden fog on eastbound I-4. "These drivers had been out there the whole time and were aware of the foggy conditions, and a few of them drove in a careless manner," said FHP Trooper Larry Coggins.
* Authorities still haven't positively identified three of the four people who were killed in that first crash. Medical examiners will try to use dental records to identify some who were burned beyond recognition.
* Contractors finished their cleanup work on the reopened highway Friday afternoon, hauling away the last of about 300 tons of dirt from the median that was contaminated with oil spilled from a wrecked tanker.

Legal issues

Even a regular auto accident can become a lengthy legal matter, so a chain reaction of 10 crashes that injured nearly 40 people is enough to keep a small army of attorneys, insurance agents and chiropractors busy.

On Friday, a personal injury attorney called a news conference in Lakeland regarding eight members of the same family injured in the pileup -- three of whom remain hospitalized, one in critical condition.

The Gomez family say they were traveling in two vans from their Lakeland homes to construction jobs in Osceola County. They say they smelled smoke on I-4 before they were rear-ended, and they think the people who started a nearby brush fire are responsible.

Now they're all out of work and "they don't know how they're going to pay their bills," said attorney William McBride, who added that his law firm would investigate whether state agencies are responsible.

In the meantime, three state investigations are ongoing.

The main questions at stake: Did a controlled burn set by state officials lead to a 400-acre wildfire, and did smoke from that wildfire contribute to the crashes?

The Highway Patrol is investigating the crashes. The state Department of Agriculture, which oversees the Division of Forestry, is investigating both of the fires.

"We hope to have it concluded in about a week, but it could be longer," said department spokesman Terence McElroy.

Mike Brassfield can be reached at brassfield@sptimes.com or (813) 226-3435.

[Last modified January 12, 2008, 00:08:25]

http://www.sptimes.com/2008/01/12/State/After_crash__blame_ga.shtml

[HARTride 2012]

Interstate 4 closed due to smoke
Tuesday, January 15, 2008

POLK CITY (Bay News 9) -- The Florida Highway Patrol has closed Interstate 4 in Polk County due to smoke causing limited visibility.

Both lanes of the roadway were closed Tuesday morning before 4 a.m. between County Road 557 and Highway 27.

A brush fire near Old Grade Road has been smoldering, creating smoke.

Officials are taking no chances after last week's fiery 70-car pileup that killed four people and injured 38.

Tuesday morning's I-4 closure is in the same area as last week's ly crash.

Emergency workers have been stationed along the roadway, assisting drivers towards the detours that have been set up.

Officials were not sure how long the highway would be closed.

However, with no fog reported, conditions are not nearly as dangerous as they were a week ago, officials said.

* Tune to Bay News 9 for up-to-date, live traffic reports.

http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2008/1/15/317108.html?title=Interstate+4+closed+due+to+smoke

[HARTride 2012]

:ohno:

Toll from last week's I-4 pileup rises to five dead
The highway is shut down again for five hours because of the still-smoldering brush fire.
By ABBIE VANSICKLE and MIKE BRASSFIELD, Times Staff Writers
Published January 16, 2008

TAMPA - A 31-year-old Lakeland construction worker died Sunday, the fifth fatality in the Jan. 9 crashes on Interstate 4.

Adrian Gomez, a married father of four, died at Lakeland Regional Hospital, said Ross Garcia, a spokesman for the Gomez family's attorney.

The morning of the crash, Gomez and seven other family members left home in Lakeland for a construction site in Kissimmee, Garcia said. They split up into two vans. Adrian was in a passenger seat when the crashes happened, Garcia said.

The van was among the 70 vehicles caught in a chain-reaction of collisions that immediately killed four people and sent 38 more to hospitals. That morning, a thick fog blanketed the interstate. Smoke from a nearby brush fire made visibility even more difficult.

The crash led officials to close a 14-mile stretch of the highway.

The same stretch of I-4 was shut down for five hours Tuesday morning because of smoke from the still-smoldering brush fire. Officials will continue to watch for smoke today, and they hope that rain tonight or Thursday will dampen the fire. Fog is not expected.

Officials closed the interstate from U.S. 27 to County Road 557 near Polk City after Florida Highway Patrol troopers reported zero visibility on the highway.

The state Division of Forestry is still battling parts of the swamp fire that once covered 400 acres.

On Tuesday, the Highway Patrol continued to release more names of those hurt in the crash.

Two of the injured are members of Gomez's family.

One of the men has a broken leg. Another has a fractured sternum, Garcia said. Both have been released from the hospital.

None has health insurance, Garcia said.

The family's attorney, William McBride, did not return calls for comment. Family members could not be reached.

Garcia said Gomez, who came to the United States from Honduras, is survived by a wife and four young children.

He added that the family is struggling to pay for a funeral for Gomez and is working to set up a fund for donations.

Times staff writer Casey Cora contributed to this report. Abbie VanSickle can be reached at vansickle@sptimes.com or 813 226-3373.

[Last modified January 16, 2008, 00:51:06]

http://www.sptimes.com/2008/01/16/Hillsborough/Toll_from_last_week_s.shtml

[HARTride 2012]

More Tickets Likely In I-4 Pileup

By GRETCHEN PARKER, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 3, 2008

Updated: 11:46 pm

BARTOW - Although blame for the Interstate 4 pileup has widely been placed on smoke and fog, the Florida Highway Patrol says at least part of the fault lies with drivers.

Troopers have issued nine tickets so far, all for the more minor crashes on the westbound side of the melee. But they say many more likely will be issued to drivers who rammed into cars in the fiery pileup on the eastbound side. Because five people died in those crashes, it could take four to six months to finish the homicide investigation and issue those citations, the patrol said.

The tickets issued as of Friday cite careless driving, after troopers on the scene determined those drivers collided with a vehicle in front of them. Investigators won't yet speculate who the not-yet-written tickets will go to and what they will cite, said Capt. Cindy Williams, the patrol's highest ranking officer in Polk County, where the crashes happened Jan. 9.

Drivers and passengers described hitting a wall of smoke and fog that wiped out visibility starting at 4 a.m. that day, and troopers acknowledge smoke from an out-of-control prescribed burn made driving more difficult. But they say drivers should have slowed down to prevent collisions.

Already, two drivers cited have pleaded not guilty. Court clerks in Polk County are bracing for more drivers to fight their tickets. Each will require a hearing and testimony from motorists and troopers.

Some drivers got their tickets the day of the wreck. As sunlight burned off the smoke, and fog lifted, troopers wrote them out and delivered them to drivers who were stranded on the side of the interstate.

Those who were injured got their tickets by certified mail a week later.

Once they get their tickets, drivers have 30 days to contest them. Each fine issued so far, for careless driving, is $121.50. The citations also carry a penalty of four points on their driving records.

Wilfredo Reveron was handed a ticket after translating for troopers who were trying to communicate with Spanish-speaking drivers.

The Orlando electrician had been on his way to Tampa when he collided with other cars in the westbound lanes.

Driver Fighting Ticket On Principle

His wife, Cecilia, helped him file the paperwork required to contest the ticket. His job requires him to drive regularly to Jacksonville, Daytona and Tampa, and he can't afford the points on his driving record, she said. Still, that's not why they're fighting the ticket and not why they hired a Miami lawyer to help, Cecilia said. It's the principle, she said.

"It's the fact that the police would have the heart, they would have the guts" to write tickets after the chaos of that morning, she said.

"I think it was a force of nature," said Wilfredo's attorney, Ronald Rodman. "I mean, if there was a typhoon that blew through at that time, would they have cited everybody for that?"

The highway patrol, though, makes the point that troopers aren't citing everybody who was involved in the series of crashes. (About 70 vehicles were involved, including the major, 43-car wreck on the eastbound side.)

They're citing only the drivers at fault. And those at fault are those who did not slow down to prevent sliding into other cars, said Trooper Larry Coggins, a patrol spokesman.

Florida law is clear. It requires drivers to operate their vehicles "in a safe and reasonable manner regardless of the circumstances and conditions at hand," Coggins said in a recent interview. He added: "If there is a curve in the road, you slow down. If it's foggy, rainy, icy or hail, you'll drive in a prudent manner. So if it's smoky, you slow down.

"If we removed fog and just said, 'heavy rainstorm,' and we had all these pileups, people would say, 'Yeah, you've got to slow down in the rain,'" he said.

As troopers walked the crashes on the westbound side, it was clear that some cars ran into other ones that had slowed.

"That's why those people were cited. They ran into the back of other traffic that slowed down to drive safely," Coggins said.

Slower Drivers 'Became Victims'

Those who slowed down "became victims of those" who didn't slow down in time, he said.

As investigators reconstruct the chaos in the eastbound lanes, they may be able to separate some crashes from the ones and issue those citations sooner, Williams said. But the wrecks that killed those five motorists undergo several layers of scrutiny before they're resolved, she said. That includes a review by the state attorney's office.

Eric Rannebarger was on his way to work at a Lakeland radio station when he hit the smoke and crashed into the car in front of him. He also hired a lawyer to help him decide whether to fight the ticket he got for careless driving.

He sympathizes with troopers who had to sort out blame, and he doesn't fault them for giving tickets, he said. Still, he says drivers should not be blamed for a situation that was so far out of their control.

The truth will come out if drivers fight their tickets, Rannebarger said. "I really feel the court system will look at the circumstances surrounding it and see that the drivers were not careless," he said.

Reporter Gretchen Parker can be reached at (813) 259-7562 or gparker@tampatrib.com.

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/feb/03/me-more-tickets-likely-in-i-4-pileup/?news-metro

[HARTride 2012]

I still think FHP is partly to blame here...even though some people did not slow down as they were SUPPOSED to. :ohno:

FHP: at least 10 drivers ticketed in I-4 crashes
Monday, February 4, 2008

POLK COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- The Florida Highway Patrol has released crash reports on the I-4 s that occurred Jan. 9.

The 70-vehicle chain reaction crash killed five people. Heavy fog contributed to the crashes, but the 160-page report also blames at least 10 drivers. The report accuses those drivers of careless driving.

The report does not address the issue of whether smoke from a nearby brush-fire may have played a role in the crash. That brushfire started as a controlled burn that got out of control.

http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2008/2/4/322459.html?title=FHP:+at+least+10+drivers+ticketed+in+I-4+crashes