PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla. – Three men were killed Wednesday afternoon in a head-on crash involving a flatbed truck and a semitruck just south of San Mateo, the Florida Highway Patrol said.
The crash, which happened just after 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, blocked all lanes of State Road 100 at Tram Road for at least nine hours.
Troopers said a red Chevrolet flatbed truck, which was hauling heads of cabbage, was traveling east on S.R. 100 when it veered into the westbound lane and collided with the front of a semitruck. Troopers said three men who were in the flatbed truck died at the scene. Troopers on Thursday identified the driver of the flatbed truck as Haymon Boynton, 65, of East Palatka. Troopers identified the passengers of the flatbed truck as Lloyd Douglas, 61, and Benjamin Nelson, 50, both of Hastings.
The driver of the semi -- identified as Isaias Chaluisant, 30, of Orlando -- was flown to Orange Park Medical Center in critical condition, troopers said.
According to the Highway Patrol, the Department of Environmental Protection responded because about 150 gallons of diesel fuel spilled on the road. Cabbage also spilled onto the road.
Troopers initially said the cause of the crash was believed to be a blown-out tire on the flatbed truck. They later said the exact cause of the crash is still under investigation, but said a tire was blown out on the flatbed truck.
As of early Wednesday evening, troopers said the gas spill was contained on the shoulder of the road and crews were working to clear debris as investigators collected bits of evidence.
Charges are pending the investigation, according to the Highway Patrol.