Multiple Crashes Cause Major Delays on I-75 in Manatee County During Thursday Morning Commute

Drivers traveling through Manatee County faced significant delays Thursday morning after two separate crashes on Interstate 75 disrupted traffic in both directions, according to traffic officials.

The most serious incident occurred in the southbound lanes between State Road 70 and University Parkway, where a crash blocked multiple travel lanes and created backups stretching for miles. Earlier that morning, another major crash in the northbound lanes near River Road also slowed traffic during the morning commute.

Authorities continue to investigate both incidents.

Southbound Crash Causes Miles of Congestion

According to traffic reports, a crash occurred Thursday morning in the southbound lanes of Interstate 75 between:

• State Road 70
• University Parkway
• Manatee County, Florida

The collision blocked two travel lanes, forcing traffic to merge into the remaining open lane.

As traffic backed up, speeds dropped to less than 10 miles per hour in some areas.

By mid-morning, congestion had extended more than five miles toward the U.S. 301 corridor, with motorists experiencing delays approaching 40 minutes.

Officials have not yet released information regarding:

• The number of vehicles involved
• Whether anyone was injured
• The cause of the crash

Earlier Northbound Crash Also Impacted Traffic

The southbound collision was the second major incident affecting Interstate 75 Thursday morning.

Before 7:00 a.m., another significant crash occurred in the northbound lanes near River Road.

That crash also caused substantial traffic backups as emergency responders worked to clear the roadway and assist those involved.

Authorities have not released additional details regarding the earlier northbound collision.

Interstate 75 Remains One of Florida’s Busiest Highways

Interstate 75 serves as a major transportation corridor connecting Southwest Florida, the Tampa Bay region, and destinations throughout the state.

Because of the heavy volume of commuter, commercial, and tourist traffic, crashes on I-75 can quickly create:

• Long traffic backups
• Secondary collisions
• Delays for emergency responders
• Increased crash risks caused by sudden stop-and-go traffic

Drivers approaching congested areas are encouraged to reduce speed and remain alert for stopped vehicles ahead.

Common Causes of Interstate Collisions

Although investigators have not identified what caused either crash, collisions on high-speed interstate highways commonly involve:

• Distracted driving
• Following too closely
• Unsafe lane changes
• Excessive speed
• Driver fatigue
• Mechanical failures
• Sudden traffic slowdowns

Investigators will likely review physical evidence, vehicle damage, witness statements, and roadway conditions before determining the cause.

Florida Traffic Laws That May Apply

Depending on the findings of the investigation, several Florida traffic laws may become relevant.

Florida Statute §316.0895 requires motorists to maintain a reasonable and prudent following distance to help avoid rear-end collisions.

Additionally, Florida Statute §316.1925 defines careless driving as operating a vehicle without careful and prudent regard for surrounding traffic, roadway conditions, and other circumstances.

If investigators determine that driver negligence contributed to either crash, citations or additional enforcement actions could follow.

Potential Legal Rights Following Injury Crashes

If either crash resulted in injuries caused by another driver’s negligence, injured motorists may have legal rights under Florida law.

Potential compensation in a personal injury claim may include:

• Medical expenses
• Future medical treatment
• Lost wages
• Loss of earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Property damage

Florida follows a modified comparative negligence system under Florida Statute §768.81, meaning responsibility for a crash may be divided among multiple parties based on each person’s percentage of fault.

Any determination of liability will depend on the evidence gathered during the investigation.

Investigation Continues

Authorities continue investigating both Interstate 75 crashes in Manatee County.

Additional information—including whether injuries occurred, how many vehicles were involved, and what factors contributed to each collision—may be released as investigators complete their review.

Drive Safely Through Congested Areas

Heavy traffic and sudden slowdowns are common after interstate crashes and can increase the risk of secondary collisions.

Motorists should reduce speed, leave additional following distance, avoid distracted driving, and comply with Florida’s Move Over Law (Florida Statute §316.126) when approaching emergency vehicles stopped along the roadway.

These precautions help protect first responders, tow operators, and fellow motorists while improving safety for everyone traveling on Florida’s highways.