BOCA RATON, FLA. (WSVN) - Rescue crews responded to the scene of a crash in Boca Raton that left a semi truck dangling over Interstate 95, Thursday morning.
The crash happened right before 7 a.m., on the on-ramp to I-95 south at Congress Avenue.
The driver of the truck said he was traveling from Georgia to Fort Lauderdale. He was about to get onto I-95 south when he realized he was going the wrong way, went over a median and lost control.
“I thought I was doing OK till I found out that that was a cliff,” said William Brake, “and I was hoping that my … didn’t break. I mean, you know what I mean ’cause I was trying to move my mattress up front and expect the worst.”
Authorities said it could have been much worse.
“The vehicle took the exit ramp and failed to negotiate the curve,” said Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Earl Hingson. “It traveled across the roadway, struck the concrete wall and compromised the wall, went over and was hanging over the side.”
Thankfully, within minutes of finding himself over the edge, first responders came to his rescue.
“They removed him from the vehicle and got him over, and apparently, he is fine,” said Hingson.
“I’m thankful. I just hope my company understands,” said Brake. “But I didn’t want that to happen — I’ve never had a wreck.”
Brake was pulled out by rescue crews with a ladder. He appeared to be OK. “I was glad they came real fast,” he said.
Once Brake was safely pulled out, the semi-truck dangled over the Tri-Rail tracks for several hours before crews worked to secure it and eventually pulled it back onto the roadway at around 10:30 a.m.
The truck has since been towed away.
All that remains now is the broken retaining wall of the on-ramp at Congress Avenue, which continues to be shut down in both directions.
I-95 was not affected by the crash, as there is no traffic below the on-ramp. However, the railroad tracks used by Tri-Rail were temporarily closed down. Tri-Rail was delayed for about an hour.
According to Florida Highway Patrol, there are 30,000 pounds of cabinets inside the truck.
Brake hopes his company will understand that the crash was an accident.
“I’m glad nobody was in the intersection because — I try to be responsible.”
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