Oversized Trailer Swings Into SUV On I-75, Injuring Two Women

PASCO COUNTY, FL — Two women were injured Saturday morning when the rear section of an oversized trailer swung into their SUV on Interstate 75 in Pasco County, authorities said.

The Florida Highway Patrol said the crash occurred shortly after 9:50 a.m. near mile marker 280 on northbound I-75.

Authorities said a semi hauling two oversized trailers was traveling in the outside lane when the driver of a Dodge Ram 2500 helper vehicle unlocked the rear trailer to assist with a lane change.

According to investigators, unlocking the trailer caused its rear section to swing into the center lane, where it struck a Subaru Forester driven by a 23-year-old Georgia woman.

The trailer, which was carrying an empty evaporator tank, rode over the Subaru before both vehicles came to rest, blocking the northbound lanes.

The Subaru driver and her 22-year-old passenger, also from Georgia, suffered minor injuries and were taken to a local hospital.

A 36-year-old Kansas man was driving the tractor-trailer, while the helper vehicle was driven by a 70-year-old Havana man.

Northbound Interstate 75 remained blocked until about 11:40 a.m. while crews cleared the scene.

The crash remains under investigation.