Three killed in morning crash on Interstate 75 near Fruitville Road

Three people were killed in a seven-vehicle crash on Interstate 75 this morning.

According to a release issued by Florida Highway Patrol, the crash occurred around 7:20 a.m. and charges are pending completion of a traffic homicide crash investigation.

The report states a 2013 Ford Mustang driven by 55-year-old Venice resident Angela Blase was traveling north on I-75 approaching the Fruitville Road exit in the outside travel lane. A cement truck, whose driver was killed, was traveling northbound in the center lane, and a 2005 Toyota Corolla driven by 57-year-old Elizabeth Gunn, of Sarasota, was also in the northbound outside travel lane. 

According to the press release, a Dodge Durango was stopped lawfully within the paved shoulder with a 2018 Dodge 2500 stopped to assist. The driver of the Dodge Durango was killed, and the driver of the Dodge 2500 sustained critical injuries. Neither individual has yet been identified. 

A seventh vehicle, a 2019 Chevrolet 4500 driven by 21-year-old Jesse Pillinger of Charlotte, Fla., was also traveling on northbound 75. 

The Florida Highway Patrol traffic homicide investigation is on scene. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Florida Highway Patrol at 239-938-1800 or on a cell phone at *FHP (*347).

Previous report

Traffic along Interstate 75 just south of Fruitville Road is backed up following a serious crash in the northbound lanes, authorities said.

Lanes are restricted just south of the exit, and traffic on the southbound side is also slowed.

The incident was reported around 7:20 a.m. and some lanes were still reported closed around 11 a.m. Video from the Florida Department of Transportation’s Smart Traffic site shows traffic cones restricting travel to one northbound lane.

Traffic along Cattlemen Road, which parallels Interstate 75, is also congested as motorists search for alternate routes.

A serious crash last week in the same area slowed traffic on the highway for hours. 

(Pam Eubanks and Eric Garwood of the Observer Staff contributed to this report)