POLK COUNTY, Fla. — A high-speed chase along Interstate 4 ended with a multi-vehicle crash that injured five people, officials with the Florida Highway Patrol said Friday morning.

The chase caused an overnight closure and major backup on I-4 until 7:30 a.m. Friday. 

What You Need To Know

  • Camry traveling 130 mph on I-4 hit two tracker trailers, causing a major overnight closure until Friday morning

  • Troopers said the impact caused the Camry to split into several pieces

  • 5 people, including two men in the Camry, were injured

  • FHP found $5,000 in cash and several pounds of marijuana inside the Camry

Around midnight, troopers said they spotted a Camry going 104 mph. When they tried to stop the driver, the vehicle sped off, reaching speeds of 130 mph.

The Camry continued westbound until it reached a construction zone near the 27 milepost where all but the left lane was closed. FHP said the vehicle entered the closed portion of the roadway and collided with two tractor trailers.

The impact caused the Camry to split into several pieces, ejecting the two men inside from the vehicle.

(FHP)

Portions of the Camry struck a Subaru traveling westbound through the area.

FHP said both occupants of the Camry — a 37-year-old man from Tampa and a 30-year-old man from Port Charlotte — suffered serious injuries.

The drivers of the two tractor trailers — a 62-year-old man and a 48-year-old man — and the driver of the Subaru, a 43-year-old female, all suffered minor injuries.

Troopers found nearly $5,000 in cash and several pounds of marijuana inside the Camry.

The investigation remains ongoing. 

(FHP)