A VENICE MAN WAS SITED IN AN ACCIDENT ON THE INTERSTATE THIS MORNING THAT WILL HAVE A LANE CLOSED FOR QUITE SOME TIME. THE FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL SAYS 61 YEAR OLD RICHARD WILSON WAS SOUTHBOUND ON THE INTERSTATE JUST NORTH OF THE RIVER ROAD EXIT AT AROUND 7:45AM WHEN HE DRIFTED ONTO THE SHOULDER AND HIT THE CALL BOX AND GUARDRAIL. THE IMPACT CAUSED ONE OF THE FUEL TANKS TO RUPTURE AND A FIRE BROKE OUT. THE CAB OF THE TRUCK WAS BURNED, BUT WILSON MANAGED TO ESCAPE UNINJURED. ACCORDING TO CHRIS MILLER WITH THE FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL, IT WILL TAKE SEVERAL HOURS, POSSIBLY THROUGH THE RUSH HOUR, TO REMOVE THE HUNDREDS OF GALLONS OF DIESEL FUEL THAT SPILLED. HE SUGGESTS YOU USE U S 41 SOUTH FROM JACARANDA AS AN ALTERNATE, ESPECIALLY THROUGH THE EVENING RUSH TONIGHT AS ONLY ONE LANE WILL BE PASSABLE ON THE INTERSTATE. WILSON WAS SIGHTED IN THE ACCIDENT FOR CARELESS DRIVING.
