COCOA -- Interstate 95 has reopened near Cocoa after a fiery three-vehicle crash closed it down near the Port St. John exit for nearly four hours.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, an 18-wheeler was traveling south behind two trucks around 11:20 a.m. Wednesday when traffic started to slow down.
The semi driver, Harry Adams, 43, of Indiana, had trouble slowing down and attempted to move to an inside lane. The semi then struck the side of a truck driven by Vincent Williams, 20, of Yulee, Fla.
When Adams attempted to correct his course and move to an outside lane, he struck the side of another truck driven by Willis Jackson, 48, of Hollywood, Fla.
The truck driven by Jackson and the semi moved onto the shoulder and the semi caught fire, driving into the woods and leaving a black burn mark on the road.
The fire spread from the cab of the 18-wheeler into the trailer compartment. The fire then spread to the brush surrounding the accident, threatening some homes. Fire crews were able to quickly extinguish the blaze and no homes were damaged.
Adams was able to escape the burning semi through the passenger side window. He received burns and was airlifted to Orlando Regional Medical Center. Jackson also was airlifted to ORMC. Neither driver had life-threatening injuries. FHP said Williams was injured but refused transport to a hospital.
According to FHP, one of the vehicles was carrying 36,000 pounds of paper.
Adams has been charged with being at fault in the accident.
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