Crashes closes I-75 in Marion County for over 6 hours

One northbound and southbound lane closed; Use U.S. Route 441 as alternate route

Marion Co., Fla. – The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a series of crashes that occurred on Interstate 75 at the Alachua County-Marion County line. 

Troopers said the the crash originated on Interstate 75 northbound, where four vehicles including a tractor trailer were involved in a crash.

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Raul and Dawn Fernandez were driving down the middle lane of the highway when they were hit from behind by 19-year-old Aaron Gordon causing the Fernandez car to shoot off the road into the grass where the vehicle flipped.

When Gordon got out of his car to see what had happened a semi driven by Wallace Steverson, who couldn't see Gordon's car, bounced of the car, hit a guard-rail and flipped over. 

During all the turmoil, a fourth car in the center lane of the highway driven by Thalia Resinos, wasn't able to avoid all the debris from the previous accidents and hit the remains of the other cars badly damaging her car.

Luckily the only injury was a minor one sustained by Jeanne Graves 50, who was a passenger in the semi and she was transported to UF Health Gainesville.

Shortly after, another crash occurred on Interstate 75 southbound. FHP said that Johnathan Dixon was driving a tractor trailer and rear-ended another semi driven by Roger Goodwin.  Because of the collision Goodwin's trailer swung out and hit a third semi driven by Noel Ramirez. 

FHP described the incident as " a complete mess," and left the roadway covered in debris and Coke-a-Cola bottles.  

No injuries resulted from the crash on Interstate 75 southbound.

Due to the debris from both crashes, all lanes of Interstate 75 were closed for several hours.

Around 7 a.m. troopers were able to open one southbound lane and one northbound lane.

FHP described the incident as " a complete mess."

The crashes caused delays and backups for about three miles on each side of the interstate.

Drivers are asked to take U.S. Route 441 as an alternate route around the crash area.

Cleanup is expected to take several hours.

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