Driver killed after gas tanker plunges off overpass, explodes on Interstate 595

A gasoline tanker exploded Sunday afternoon after plunging off an overpass near Interstate 595 and the Florida Turnpike, killing the truck’s driver.

The 53-year-old Homestead man driving the tanker was headed west on the I-595 entrance ramp to the southbound lane of Florida’s Turnpike when he lost control. The tanker went over a concrete barrier wall, landing in the grass below the overpass.

The gas tank, which held about 8,000 gallons of gasoline, caught fire and exploded, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The driver was trapped inside the truck as it lay upside-down on its roof, the FHP said in a statement.

He died at the scene, officials said. His identity has not been released.

The highway was closed in both directions for several hours as hazardous materials units cleaned and cleared the roadway.

Video taken by motorists showed raging flames and huge plumes of smoke billowing into the air.

“Honestly never seen so much smoke like that in my life. It looked like we were driving into the fire ourselves,” said motorist Xio Fermin. “But everybody was slowing down so we literally had to drive next to it.”

Austen Erblat can be reached at aerblat@sunsentinel.com, 954-599-8709 or on Twitter @AustenErblat.