ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A semitractor trailer overturned and caught on fire on State Road 528, dumping its contents and shutting down the highway for hours Friday.

  • Semi crashes, spills contents across SR 528
  • Roadway was still closed 7 hours later
  • Driver was ticketed for careless driving

Troopers said driver Rodney Reese was hauling clothes and other goods eastbound on the roadway approaching the Brevard County line, near State Road 520, at about 2:45 a.m. when he lost control of the semi.

The tractor-trailer struck the right guardrail and center wall before it overturned, spilling the haul and catching on fire.

The 23-year-old Brooksville resident, who was wearing a seat belt, got out of the semi and was unhurt, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

Reese was ticketed for careless driving, troopers said.

State Road 528 is still closed but not damaged.