Miami Bakery Truck Involved in Fatal Overpass Crash

WPLG

A bakery truck dangles from a highway overpass in Fort Lauderdale.

A bakery truck crashed into a column of an I-95 overpass leading to westbound State Road 84 early this morning, causing a major traffic backup that lasted well into the morning rush hour.

The truck, which belongs to Tracy Bakery in Palmetto Bay, was left hanging from the overpass for several hours while rescue workers attempted to free the driver, identified as 43-year-old Buenaventura Fernandez, and an unidentified passenger.

Broward New Times reports that the truck, which crashed around 6 a.m., was pulled back onto the highway by 7:30 a.m.  It is not known exactly what caused the accident.
According to CBS4, Fernandez was transported to Broward Health Medical Center and later released. The passenger was pronounced dead at the scene.

Tracy Bakery owner Mary Rodriguez said Fernandez was on his way to a delivery in Tampa but did not know who the passenger was.

The family-owned bakery has been in the bread business in the United States since 1955, with the family baking in Cuba before that. They specialize in making authentic Hispanic breads and pastries.

An update issued by the Florida Department of Transportation states that engineers are inspecting the damage caused by the crash, and the overpass will be closed periodically today, Wednesday, February 6, and tomorrow, Thursday, February 7, as FDOT crews clean up debris and repair the damaged concrete barrier.

Short Order called Tracy Bakery in Palmetto Bay twice for comment. Both times, an unidentified man said there was no manager or owner on premises and to "call back in the morning."

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