The Florida Highway Patrol said the driver of a tractor-trailer pulling an empty concrete tanker fell asleep behind the wheel and crashed into the eastbound toll gate on I-75 and another vehicle, injuring several people.
The crash happened around noon at mile marker 100, the entrance to Alligator Alley.
A 67-year-old female toll plaza worker from Fort Myers sustained serious injuries and was flown to an area hospital.
Two occupants in the passenger vehicle, the 45-year-old male driver from Aurora, Colorado, and a 45-year-old female passenger from Florida were taken to a hospital with minor injuries.
The 35-year-old truck driver from Miami was not injured, the FHP said.
The FHP said the crash caused extensive damage to the #1, #2 and #3 toll lanes and those lanes will remain closed for repairs.
The #5 Sun Pass lane and the #4 lane remain open.
The crash remains under investigation.
Further details were unavailable.
The FHP said it was conducting a special public education program in September targeting drowsy driving.
The FHP urges drivers to safely pull off the road and take a break if they are having difficulty focusing, find themselves yawning repeatedly, or are drifting into other lanes.
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