SUN CITY CENTER, FLORIDA — A tractor-trailer driver was arrested Monday afternoon after attempting an illegal U-turn on Interstate 75, causing a serious crash that left a passenger car wedged beneath his trailer, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Troopers said northbound traffic was already moving slowly due to an unrelated vehicle fire near the Sun City Center exit when the semi-truck driver attempted to make an illegal U-turn across the interstate into the southbound lanes near the Hillsborough–Manatee County line.

^{Photo credit: Florida Highway Patrol}

As the tractor-trailer crossed into opposing lanes, it entered the path of a Toyota Corolla driven by a 28-year-old man from Parrish. The Corolla struck the trailer and became lodged underneath it. The car’s driver suffered serious injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.

The semi-truck driver, identified as 45-year-old Julio Dones Rosa of Citrus Springs, was not injured in the crash. He was arrested and charged with reckless driving involving serious injury and taken to jail.

The crash caused significant traffic delays in the area as troopers investigated and crews worked to clear the scene.

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