LAKELAND, Fla. — FDOT said I-4 westbound is back open at Exit 38 (SR 33) in Lakeland after a multi-vehicle crash.
Two young men suffered serious injuries after their car crashed into a disabled tractor-trailer on Interstate 4 in Polk County before being struck by another semi, shutting down westbound traffic for hours during rush hour.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), the crash happened around 3:50 p.m. Monday on westbound I-4 west of State Road 33.
Troopers said a Lexus sedan entered the outside shoulder and collided with a disabled tractor-trailer parked there. After the initial impact, the sedan rotated back into the westbound travel lanes, where it was struck by another tractor-trailer traveling in the center lane.
The driver of the Lexus, a 20-year-old Winter Haven man, and the passenger, a 19-year-old Orlando man, suffered serious injuries. Both were taken to an area hospital.
The drivers of both tractor-trailers were not injured, according to FHP.