Deadly Crash On Turnpike Extension Snarled Rush Hour Traffic

MIAMI (CBSMiami) - A deadly crash involving a dump truck snarled traffic for hours on the Turnpike Extension on Wednesday morning.

The accident happened in the southbound lanes near mile marker 39 around 6 a.m.

The Florida Highway Patrol said the driver of the truck carrying gravel lost control and slammed into a concrete barrier wall. The impact caused the truck to overturn, the driver was ejected. He landed in the highway's shoulder area and died on the scene.

The FHP said the highway was wet due to early morning rainfall and that may have been a contributing factor.

As a result of the crash, all southbound lanes were closed just south of the I-75 exit. Thousands of drivers were diverted to the southbound Palmetto Expressway which added to the usual rush-hour nightmare there.

The FHP said the Turnpike Extension lanes will mostly likely be reopened by mid-day.