Driver ejected after pickup truck flips over guardrail on I-75 in Marion County

Ocala firefighters were dispatched to Interstate 75 on Tuesday afternoon after a pickup truck flipped over the guardrail near mile marker 351.

At approximately 1:57 p.m., Ocala Fire Rescue units consisting of Engine 4, Rescue 4, Tower 1, and Battalion Chief 11 rushed to the scene of the crash. Upon arrival, crews observed a red pickup truck on its roof.

According to OFR, the driver was ejected, and several good Samaritans had stopped to help. Firefighters spoke with the driver and witnesses, and they learned that the pickup truck was traveling northbound on I-75 when it struck the guardrail. After the impact, the vehicle flipped to the southbound inside shoulder.

Marion County Fire Rescue’s Medic 51 unit arrived on scene and transported the pickup truck’s driver to a local hospital as a trauma alert.

According to OFR, motorists traveling southbound on I-75 should expect traffic delays due to the accident near mile marker 351.

Earlier in the morning, at around 6 a.m. on Tuesday, OFR units responded to two separate crashes that occurred near exit 352. Less than three hours later, firefighters returned to the interstate after receiving reports of a third crash involving a jackknifed semi-truck and a pickup truck near exit 354.

In a social media post, Ocala Fire Rescue stated that drivers should follow these steps to maintain a defensive stance on the road:

• Expect the unexpected;
• Be prepared to avoid hazards by keeping a three-second cushion between you and the vehicle in front of you; and
• Always keep your eyes on the road.