7 Injured In Orlando Toll Booth Crash

[jjcollins]

ORLANDO, Fla. -- A dump truck that crashed into an Orange County, Fla., toll booth Monday injured seven people, according to Local 6 News.


Witnesses said that a dump truck did not stop when it approached a toll booth and hit a car on the Beeline Expressway near the Central Florida Greenway.

After being hit by the truck, one of the cars smashed into the tollbooth and burst into flames.

Two people were airlifted to Orlando Regional Medical Center, including the 44-year-old tollbooth attendant. A 42-year-old man was pinned against the tollbooth before being rescued, and he is being evaluated for chest pain.

Investigators aren't sure why the truck didn't stop.

The expressway was shut down while the victims were transported.



jj..........

 

[vernon]

I did see a close call on my last trip where someone ( obviously a holiday maker) stopped at one of the E-Pass booths ( I can't remember the actual name but you buy a transponder type thingy that goes on your dashboard and this contains a certain amount of prepaid tolls. It registers as you drive through the booth but YOU DON'T NEED TO STOP). Unfortunately this driver obviously didn't know they were different types of tollbooths and stopped, trying to pay his $1. The cars behind him weren't expecting him to stop and there was much squeeling of brakes and a few choice words. Fortunately no damage to person or property , but just a warning for those of you not used to the toll road system, often the toll booths that are furthest left (ie in the "fast lanes" ) are these type of "e-booths" and you are expected to have the electronic toll system and you are NOT expected to come to a stop.

 

[jjcollins]

Yes Vernon its call an E-pass--All vehicles using E-PASS must slow down to 35 mph when traveling through E-PASS Only lanes. The speed limit in cash lanes is 25 mph. Different policies may apply in O-PASS and SunPASS lanes. E-PASS customers are required to comply with rules governing use of those lanes.

Update---

In all, seven people were injured. The tollbooth operator is in serious condition at ORMC with burns on ten percent of his body. Eyewitnesses are amazed that no one died. "Everybody made it out. Even the toll booth guy made it out which is remarkable,” says Schaefer.

So far, no charges have been filed. But the highway patrol is focusing its investigation on the dump truck and why it did not stop when it entered the toll plaza.

“Either the brakes failed and or the vehicle didn't slow in time," says Sgt. Randolph Busch, Florida Highway Patrol.

This is going to be a major headache not only for drivers, but for the Expressway Authority itself. Thirty thousand drivers pass through the toll plaza every day. So the Expressway Authority believes they will lose revenue because, for now, they are waiving the tolls so the traffic does not back up



jj.....