PALMETTO, Fla. — A fiery dump truck crash temporarily shut down I-275 North Monday in Manatee County.
It happened just west of where the interstate meets US-41 by the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.
Investigators say the truck was heading north when the driver lost control and slid off the road to the right, overturning on the grassy shoulder.
A pair of St. Petersburg police officers saw the crash and tried to help the driver. But, the dump truck burst into flames, and the driver died.
According to Florida Highway Patrol, the officers were checked out at the hospital for smoke inhalation.
One northbound lane has since reopened to traffic. Southbound lanes were unaffected.
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