The boat burst into flames after it was ejected from the trailer, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY – Two drivers were seriously injured this morning (April 29) in a three-car crash that blocked portions of southbound I-75, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Willie James Daniel, 46, and Stace Sanders, 43, sustained serious injuries. Juanita Daniel, 70, a passenger in Willie Daniel’s SUV, suffered minor injuries. All are from Tampa and all were taken to Tampa General Hospital.

Willie Daniel was cited for improper stopping/parking, troopers said.

The crash happened about 6:25 a.m. on southbound I-75 north of U.S. 301 in Hillsborough County. Troopers said Willie Daniel was towing a boat on a trailer with a 2000 Chevrolet Tahoe south on I-75 when he noticed a problem with the boat. He pulled over to the inside shoulder and stopped the Tahoe partly on the inside shoulder and partly in the inside driving lane, troopers said.

He got out to inspect the trailer as a 2009 Chevrolet HHR driven by Sanders, who was driving in the inside lane, hit the boat trailer and Willie Daniels. The impact propelled the boat forward and off the trailer parallel to the Tahoe. The boat caught on fire, which spread to the Tahoe, troopers said.

The HHR began spinning and was hit by a 2009 Volvo semi-tractor-trailer driven by Paul Rogers, 55, of Mulberry.

Troopers said parts of southbound I-75 were closed for extended periods while the fire was put out.

For information about the Florida Highway Patrol, go to flhsmv.gov.

Florida Highway Patrol | Traffic Crash | I-75 Crash | Traffic Accident | Tampa Bay News | TB Reporter

Florida Highway Patrol | Traffic Crash | I-75 Crash | Traffic Accident | Tampa Bay News | TB Reporter