Interstate 4 pile up - Police Scanner Recording

Interstate 4 pile up - Police Scanner Recordings

Thick fog mixed with smoke along a stretch of Interstate 4 in Polk County early this morning, and the ensuing wreck turned the highway into a fiery war zone that claimed at least four lives.

All lanes of I-4 remain closed between the Polk Parkway and U.S. 27 -- roughly the area from Polk City to the Osceola County line. That's where at least 70 vehicles were involved in the massive pile-up crash.

It was around 4:30 a.m. when the chain reaction began. Victims described climbing out of their damaged cars, only to be surrounded by more crashes happening all around them.

"I couldn't see it because of the fog. I just kept hearing impact after impact after impact," motorist Jim Palmer recalled, pounding his fists together for emphasis. "People getting out of their cars -- begging for help, moaning, crying. And there was just no way to help them. I couldn't see my hand at the end of my arm."

Six vehicles caught fire, spewing thick black smoke that rose high above the white blanket of fog that hugged the ground.

In all, 38 people were injured and four people died in the wreck, which consisted of 10 smaller crashes. Several other motorists were trapped and had to wait hours for emergency crews who themselves were slowed by the hazardous fog.

When the fog finally began lifting around 9 a.m., the extent of the carnage became startlingly clear.

"It's very bad. It may be by the grace of God that there's only three fatalities when you see the totality of what we're dealing with," observed Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.

Judd explained that one of his deputies was among the first victims of the crashes after being called to the scene based on a report of fog, fire, and wrecks. Within seconds of stopping, another vehicle slammed into the Carlton Turner's cruiser.

Despite minor injuries, Turner was able to help other victims get out of harm's way. It was just the beginning of a long ordeal that took a heavy toll on even the toughest first responders.

"He said, 'Sheriff, I did all I could do,' " Judd continued, relaying Turner's words. "'But I watched a man burn to death today. And I heard others hollering and screaming and crying. I can't begin to explain to you how difficult this scene was. I can't begin to explain to you the trauma that occurred.' But he did all that he could."

Drivers are being asked to avoid the area throughout the day. Take Highway 60 or U.S. 92 if you have to head between Tampa and Orlando.

"Forget the interstate today," Judd added. "Don't try, don't think about the interstate today. It is an incredible investigative scene and it's going to take a long time to work through this."

For accident victims who would like to find out how to get access to their cars, call the Highway Patrol at (863) 499-2300.

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• interstate
• fog
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[MotorStar101]

So how did a police officer cause this? He didn't he was assisting with the signal 4 and was struck. And don't play that bullshit where you say some thing smart or degrading to police. The fire were from the signal 4. If you live and drive in Florida just about every morning you encounter fog. And there was an officer smashed in the middle of all that who happened to be my partner. I just so happened to have responded to this, and for you to say that not even being there to see all the

[Lordmark1234]

Oh look! thick fog.. can barely see infront!

Fog + Highway = slow the fuck down or stop.

Who would continue driving into thick fog when they can barely see infront? and maybe not even slowing down.

Suprised to suddenly see a wreck appear infront? with 2 seconds to react and brake, its not possible.

First people who crashed, accident, the rest who went in - fucking morons.

[aslkjfvae]

it was a swamp and brush fire

[Mistermomjr]

@dxfx1 well i know from experiance that even if you slow down or stop on the side of the road during thick fog the person behind you might not. So in my opinion if you encounter fog or something like it your fucked either way.

[dxfx1]

@Lordmark1234 You don't drive through it, you drive your car as far off the fucking road as you can and get out of there.

[freefromantics]

@Legend813a I was backed up on Cahone pass over near San Bernardino in 06 at 4am for 6 hours because a cop had pulled someone over and then was killed by a passer by in the right most lane going way faster than he should have, ever since cops go to the left side of the car...but yea, when someone gets pulled over either go to the left lanes or slow down....have some courtesy for our lawmen

[Legend813a]

@JISINSANE3 There is a law in Florida where you must slow down to half the posted speed limit when approaching a police car who has someone pulled over.

[JISINSANE3]

@dorslv yeah florida people are stupid, I love it when everone slows to 5mph simply to look at a police car that has sombody stopped and backs up traffic for miles. They need to die to. But I think the intense heat in floirda that the body can't handle makes the brain overheat and causes brain damage. People in floirda are the stupidest people in the world.

[dorslv]

What a bunch of dumb asses, doh look there's some fog speed up ha ha ha die you fucking waste of space

[AllyKaht]

All these people complaining about the cops and services, Maybe if you werent all greedey cunts and paid more taxes the services wouldnt suck so much.

What do you expect when you pay FUCK ALL.

americans always want the most for the least fucking stupid bastards!