VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Eyewitness News witnessed unfavorable driving conditions firsthand along Interstate 95 in Volusia County early Thursday.
Troopers said at about 1:30 a.m., there was zero visibility along I-95 as smoke and fog mixed together.
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WFTV’s Q McCray recorded cell phone video around 5:30 a.m. as he and his news photographer traveled a stretch of the highway, south of State Road 442.
LIVE UPDATES: 3 dead after 5 crashes close 18-mile stretch of I-95 in Volusia County
While the interstate was shut down at the time, troopers safely escorted WFTV onto the highway and to a media staging area located a safe distance from the various crash scenes.
Over the past few days, there have been controlled and prescribed burns in Volusia and Brevard counties, possibly contributing to the what is known as “super fog.”
“Super fog” can occur when condensed water vapor is combined with a mixture of smoke and moisture, according to WFTV Meteorologist Brian Shields.
Eyewitness News encountered smoggy conditions and smelled smoke throughout the morning while reporting along I-95.
This chain of wrecks killed an occupant in the red car. It was hauling a motorcycle. It ended up in the car when rear-ended by a semi. The child onboard was flown to the hospital. The driver and passenger in the white car survived. Watch @WFTV for more starting at noon. https://t.co/V5XBtiTt2O pic.twitter.com/q52gfbcYo5
— Q McCray (@QMcCrayWFTV) March 3, 2022
Troopers said a couple of the semis caught fire and burned during the crashes.
Photos: 17 vehicles involved in 5 crashes along I-95 in Volusia County
Meanwhile, Drone 9 gave a bird’s eye view of the multiple crashes scattered along the interstate during Eyewitness News This Morning.
Troopers shut down an 18-mile stretch of I-95 between State Road 442 and State Road 5A.
Three people died and several others were hospitalized in the five different crashes, according to FHP.
Stay with WFTV.com and watch Eyewitness News for updates on this developing story.
I-95 remains closed in both directions in Volusia County. Detour for northbound is at CR-15A. Detour for southbound is at SR-44. Plan an alternate route for the rest of the afternoon, while troopers clean up multiple crashes, including 3 fatalities. pic.twitter.com/yla3BF2H8N
— FHP Orlando (@FHPOrlando) March 3, 2022
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