Series of crashes tie up traffic on I-75 South

LEE COUNTY, Fla.- A series of traffic crashes and incidents backed up traffic on I-75 Thursday morning.

Around 6:15 a.m., FHP reported a crash and an unrelated car fire around mile marker 120 southbound, just south of the Corkscrew Road exit. Officials say one car rear ended another, causing the crash. There were minor injuries.

This backed up traffic up to Alico Road while crews worked to clear the scene, and two lanes were shut down.

The lanes reopened around 7:45 a.m. but WINK News saw traffic still backed up for miles until about 8:30 a.m.

Two more crashes happened in the area as drivers tried to navigate around the traffic.

FWC also tells WINK News a driver hit and killed a Florida Panther just south of the Corkscrew Road exit around 6 a.m.