Tractor trailer burns on Florida's Turnpike

All lanes have reopened; no one hurt in accident, say officials

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – A tractor trailer was engulfed in flames on Florida's Turnpike on Thursday, causing southbound lanes of Florida's Turnpike to shut down just south of the crash.

Miami-Dade County Fire Rescue arrived in the southbound lanes of Florida's Turnpike near County Line Road about 5:35 p.m. Thursday.

According to an FHP trooper at the scene, Ricardo Urganivia was southbound on the Turnpike when a blue truck had cut him off.

To avoid hitting the truck, officials said Urganivia veered into the left lane, hitting another car.

Authorities said Urganivia could not see the other car in his mirrors. Both vehicles slammed into the concrete dividing wall and caught fire.

Officials said none of the four adult men in the car were hurt, including the driver of the tractor trailer.

Urganivia's tractor trailer was hauling boxes of artificial hair weaves in the front half, and boxes of aircraft parts in the back half.

The reason why it took crews so long to reopen lanes is that when the boxes caught fire, officials said crews had to pull them out one by one to make sure they were all out.

Officials said all lanes in both directions reopened Thursday evening after 9 pm.

Miramar Fire Rescue, who was assisting Miami-Dade County, said northbound traffic was backed up to the Golden Glades tolls and southbound traffic was backed up to Hollywood Boulevard.

Crews continued to clean up in the area throughout Thursday evening.