Northbound traffic along Interstate 75 in Manatee County was slowed Thursday morning due to a overturned semitruck that crashed into the Manatee River just before Highway 301.
The crash happened as a thunderstorm was moving across the Manatee County area. Officials say the rainy weather played a role in the crash as well as driver error.
"It's weather, along with driver error. He just failed to maintain control of the truck," said Lt. Chris Miller.
The semi crash in the Ellenton area blocked the left lane of traffic on I-75. Traffic backed up for miles after the crash.
According to officials, the driver of the truck, lost control and hit the retaining wall, then skidded off the JD Young Bridge and into the Manatee River just before 5 a.m.
The Coast Guard responded to the scene and safely pulled the driver, Kevin Dennison of Largo from the truck. Dennison, 40, was taken to Blake Medical Center with serious injuries.
Lt. Miller said the driver is very lucky to be alive.
"When EMS arrived he was standing on top of the roof of the truck,” Lt. Miller said. “Pretty much everything was submerged. At that point, they had to send a boat out there to pick him up.”
Bay News 9 Meteorologist Juli Marquez said heavy thunderstorms were moving through the area at the time of the truck crash.
"Early-morning thunderstorms first moved through the Manatee-Sarasota area," Marquez said. "Those heavy storms first moved across that part of the Bay area before moving inland. More storms from the Gulf are expected throughout the day."
Florida Highway Patrol officials said about 300 feet of barrier wall on the bridge were damaged. A stretch of the roadway also was examined for damage.
Officials said the truck was not carrying a load at the time. The water near the bridge is being examined for diesel fuel and oil.
It may take a few days to remove the truck form the water.