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Fatal Crash Closes Interstate 75 In Hernando County

Hernando Today photo by DAVE CASEY

From left, Rosa Blanco and Arturo Sanchez of Miami and Jose Rios of Bolivia wait for investigators Thursday following a fatal accident on Interstate 75 about three miles north of the State Road 50 intersection. According to investigators, a northbound rock truck crossed the center divider and collided with three southbound vehicles.

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TBO.com

Published: October 9, 2008

Updated: 10/09/2008 11:49 pm

One person is dead and several others injured after a Thursday afternoon crash that shut down southbound Interstate 75 at milepost 305 in Hernando County.

According to Sgt. Steve Gaskins of the Florida Highway Patrol, a rock hauler owned by Margie Wood Trucking was northbound on I-75 at 3:56 p.m. when the driver, Theodore James Obern, 68, of Wildwood, lost control of the 1999 Mack semi.

The vehicle drove across the median, over the guard rail and into the southbound lanes. Three vehicles crashed into the semi, Gaskins said.

The driver of a 2004 Jeep sport utility vehicle, William Edward Clayton, 68, of Lehigh Acres, died of his injuries at the scene, Gaskins said. Passenger Edith Clayton, 67, was taken to Brooksville Regional Hospital, where she is reported in serious condition.

Four people in an Isuzu SUV were injured, Gaskins said. Driver Joshua Ryan Leach, 26, and Pallie A. Brady, 28, both of Land O' Lakes, were taken to St. Joseph's Hospital. Elva Rios, 38, of Bolivia was taken to Tampa General Hospital. All three were reported in serious condition. Jose Luis Rios, 28, of Bolivia, had minor injuries and did not go to a hospital.

Driver Arturo Sanchez, 21, and passenger, Rosa Blanco, 19, both of Miami, received minor injuries when their four-door 2005 Nissan struck the semi, Gaskins said. They did not go to a hospital.

Obern received minor injuries., Gaskins said. Southbound I-75 was closed for more than three hours.

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