BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. — Troopers have identified a semi truck driver killed in a fiery, chain reaction crash on Interstate 95 in Boynton Beach on Thursday morning.
The Florida Highway Patrol said three tractor-trailers were traveling southbound near the Gateway Boulevard exit around 4:45 a.m.
Several lanes of I-95 were closed due to construction. Troopers said a semi, driven by Mark Allen Crockett, 42, of Keystone Heights, Florida, rear-ended a second semi, which then rear-ended a third. After the collision, two of the big rigs became engulfed in flames.
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FHP said Crockett died at the scene. The other semi truck drivers, Miguel Angel Colon, 57, of Miami and Julio E. Ortiz Jr., 50, of Davie, Florida, suffered minor injuries.
The fiery wreck caused all southbound lanes of I-95 to be closed for hours. They eventually reopened by 1:30 p.m. Thursday.
Boynton Beach firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze using multiple fire trucks, as well as a Delray Beach water tanker. A Palm Beach County Hazmat team arrived in case the fuel tanks leaked, but that did not occur.
Law enforcement reminds drivers about the importance of paying attention when you are behind the wheel.
"Gotta pay attention to the vehicles in front of you," said FHP Cpl. Matthew Gallagher. "You never know when somebody is going to slow down or have to avoid something on the roadway. You have to pay attention."
Crews said the trucks melted together, hampering their removal from the interstate. Parts of I-95 will need to be repaved due to the fire.
95 SHUT DOW SOUTH BOUND AT Hypoluxo rd Due to a Double Semi tractor trailer crash at Gateway blvd take Lantana rd to High Ridge rd to Gateway blvd to get back on I95 pic.twitter.com/FMPO46JHa7
— Johann Hoffend (@Chopper5WPTV) May 30, 2019
