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3 dead after 5 crashes close 18-mile stretch of I-95 in Volusia County

Troopers have shut down a lengthy stretch of Interstate 95 in both directions in Volusia County due to several crashes, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

>>Stay with WDBO for the latest developments on this story.

8:15 a.m. update

Channel 9′s Q McCray found out that a red SUV involved in the crash was towing a motorcycle.

The SUV was sandwiched between two tractor-trailers. The driver was killed in the crash.

The northbound lanes were damaged due to the crash and fire.

An emergency paving crew will repair the lanes once debris from the crash is removed.

The road closures are as follows:

I-95 northbound is closed at State Road 5A (mile marker 231) to State Road 442. Drivers can re-enter northbound I-95 at SR-442.

I-95 southbound is closed at State Road 44 (mile marker 249) to State Road 5A. Drivers can re-enter southbound at SR-5A.

Troopers said the southbound side will open first.

7:40 a.m. update

The Florida Highway Patrol gave an update about the deadly crashes Interstate 95 crash.

Troopers said at about 1:30 a.m., there was zero visibility along I-95 as smoke and fog mixed together.

Here’s a breakdown of the crashes:

Northbound lanes

There were four separate crashes involving 11 vehicles on the northbound lanes.

One person died in the crash and several others were taken to hospitals, including a child. The child is in stable condition.

There were no other life-threatening injuries.

Southbound lanes

There was one crash involving six vehicles on the southbound lanes.

The crash involved four tractor-trailers, a van and a SUV.

Troopers said a tractor-trailer driver and the SUV driver died.

Troopers said a couple of the semis burned down in the crash.

The stretch of I-95 will likely be shut down for several hours.

The Florida Department of Transportation is going to see if there is any significant damage to the road.

Lt. Kim Montes had a warning for drivers if they come upon a similar event: “Decrease your speed. When we have a hazard, we need people to take that foot off of the gas pedal and slow down.”

7:15 a.m. update

Troopers are giving an update about the I-95 deadly crashes. Click here to watch live.

6:15 a.m. update

At least 15 vehicles were involved in five separate crashes along Interstate 95 early Thursday.

Several people were taken to hospitals, including children.

Channel 9′s Q McCray said the crashes involve several semi-trucks.

A driver of a Jeep Wrangler and a semi-truck driver were killed in a southbound crash.

We are still working to learn more about the crash on the northbound side.

The stretch of I-95 will be closed for several hours as crews clean up the crashes.

5:20 a.m. update

The Florida Highway Patrol reported four separate crashes on the northbound side of Interstate 95 and one crash on the southbound side.

Here’s what we know now:

  • Two people died in crashes on the southbound side.
  • One person died in a crash on the northbound side.
  • One child was airlifted to Arnold Palmer Hospital. They are in stable condition.
  • An unknown number of people were taken to Halifax Health.
  • The number of vehicles involved in the crash has not yet been confirmed

4 a.m. update

Troopers have shut down a lengthy stretch of Interstate 95 in both directions in Volusia County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Around 1:30 a.m. Thursday, troopers responded to the Edgewater area for what they described as “at least three separate, multi-vehicle crashes.”

Here is what Eyewitness News has learned from FHP:

• The crashes happened in both the northbound and southbound lanes of I-95.

• The crashes are in the area of mile marker 244.

• I-95 is shut down between State Road 44 (mile marker 249) and State Road 5A (mile marker 231)

• At least 15 vehicles are involved, including semi-trucks.

• There are three fatalities among three the crashes, including:

  • One crash southbound with two fatalities.
  • Two crashes northbound with one fatality.

• Several people have been hospitalized, including children.

• Several medical choppers responded to the incident.

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