TRUCK RUNS OFF OF HIGHWAY NEAR RUSH HOUR

THE DRIVER OF A TRACTOR-TRAILER RAN OFF THE ROAD IN A CONSTRUCTION ZONE OF THE INTERSTATE YESTERDAY AFTERNOON.  THE FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL SAYS 57 YEAR OLD VERNON IVES OF FT. LAUDERDALE WAS SOUTHBOUND ON I-75 ABOUT A MILE SOUTH OF LAUREL ROAD JUST AFTER 4PM.  HE WAS IN THE INSIDE LANE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AS HE APPROACHED A CLEARLY POSTED CONSTRUCTION AREA WITH ORANGE BARRELS AND FLASHING ARROW BOARDS.  IVES EXITED THE ROADWAY AND DROVE ON THE GRASSY SHOULDER TO AVOID HITTING THE VEHICLE DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF HIM, WHICH CAUSED HIS TRUCK AND TRAILER TO SPIN OUT.  THE TRUCK THEN STRUCK A WOODEN FENCE LINE AND AN OAK TREE BEFORE FINALLY STOPPING.  IVES WAS SLIGHTLY INJURED BUT REFUSED TRANSPORT TO THE HOSPITAL.  TROOPERS SAY THERE WERE 88 FEET OF TIRE MARKS ON THE ROADWAY, AND THEY SIGHTED IVES FOR CARELESS DRIVING AND DRIVING WHILE HIS LICENSE WAS SUSPENDED OR REVOKED.