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Roadblock Blamed In Fatal I-75 Pileup

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TODD RUGER / Sarasota Herald-Tribune

Published: October 2, 2007

WFLA Jackie Barron Report | Photos

SARASOTA - The driver of a semitrailer that caused a fatal crash Monday on Interstate 75 likely will not face criminal charges, since he had no warning that traffic would be stopped for a construction project, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

Instead, trucker Pablo Merlos, 33, will probably be cited for careless driving because there is no evidence to support his claim that his cruise control malfunctioned, said FHP Sgt. Herbert Head.

The multivehicle crash occurred about 12:30 a.m., at the Bee Ridge Road interchange, where workers and an off-duty FHP trooper had set up a temporary roadblock while working to reopen a lane that was closed earlier in the night.

According to the FHP, drivers said the roadblock stopped them at the bottom of the back side of the overpass, which moves I-75 traffic over Bee Ridge Road. Northbound I-75 drivers coming over the elevated interstate had to brake quickly, including Merlos and another trucker driving next to him who stopped in time.

"I think there was a more appropriate place to be doing a roadblock or slowing down the traffic as it was approaching the construction zone," Head said.

The 11-vehicle crash killed two men, sent one boy to the hospital in serious condition and injured at least six more people. The other semi driver said Merlos accelerated up the overpass.

A construction supervisor, Robert Dowdell, told television reporters that the crews had warning signs drivers could see before the crash site, but had moved them by Monday afternoon.

Zep Construction of Fort Myers did not return a call for comment Monday.

A spokeswoman for the Florida Department of Transportation, which approves plans for managing traffic safely through interstate construction sites, said the agency has a "safety team" that would look at the causes listed in the fatal crash report.

Every construction site has a DOT-approved plan for the placement of traffic signs, how speed is limited and other provisions for traffic safety, Cindy Clemmons-Adente said.

"If we see there is something that can be done that would have bettered the situation, then we make recommendations," Clemmons-Adente said.

Merlos, of Miami, was traveling north at about 70 mph and did little braking before his tractor-trailer slammed into the back of an Acura hatchback, killing driver James Brashear, 42, of Sarasota, the FHP said.

Brashear's son, Tyler, 11, was flown to Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg in serious condition.

The semi then struck the back of a Honda sedan, killing the driver, Manuel R. Ramirez, 54, of Miami.

The crash is still under investigation, and Merlos has not been cited. He said his cruise control had malfunctioned, but investigators found no problems with it, the FHP said.

The semi driver who was driving next to Merlos told investigators he saw Merlos accelerate up the overpass.

"I don't think we're looking at any criminal charges because a normal prudent person would have difficulty anticipating traffic stopped at the other side of an overpass," Head said.

Others in the accident had minor injuries and were treated at Doctors Hospital of Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch Medical Center.

This was one of the cars involved in the crash Monday morning.
ERIC HAUSMANN / News Channel 8

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