JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Two tractor-trailers overturned on the Dames Point Bridge during severe storms that passed through Monday afternoon.
The two accidents were separate but happened within minutes of each other.
One of the big rigs was leaning partially over the railing.
The driver of the tractor-trailer near the top of the bridge was taken to a hospital with minor injuries, but the Florida Highway Patrol said he was expected to be OK.
The driver of the other truck, 32-year-old Michael Justice Nance, and his dog were not injured. He said he called his wife and told her what happened and was very shaken up.
Nance, whose birthday is Tuesday, said the wind just took the truck, which was pulling an empty trailer, before he could do anything.
"The rain was coming down so hard, you could see the wind drifts coming across the bridge," said Nance of Atlanta. "I slowed down, and as soon as I slowed down, it just started rocking my truck, and it just picked me up and slammed me on my side."
All northbound lanes were blocked by the crashes for an extended period of time. In all, lane closures remained in effect for nearly an hour and a half until they were reopened just before 3:30 p.m.