A crash involving 11 vehicles on Interstate 75 resulted in two deaths this morning, Oct 1, 2007, in Sarasota, Fl.

James P. Brashear, 42, of Sarasota, and Manuel R. Ramirez, 54 of Miami, were both killed at about 12:30 a.m. Monday in a road construction area when a semi-tractor trailer collided with several vehicles.

The driver of the semi, Pablo A. Merlos, 33, of Miami failed to stop and continued colliding with vehicles.

There were a total of 12 people injured, including one patient who was flown to Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg from the scene just north of Bee Ridge Road in Sarasota. Four patients were transported to the Doctor’s Hospital of Sarasota with minor injuries, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Lyn Cassan, director of marketing for the Doctor’s Hospital, said she could not release the condition of crash victims.

Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Doug Dodson said the crash was under investigation.

"The construction crew along with Florida Highway Patrol was operating with a running road block to slow the traffic down because they were going to a lane transfer," he said. "Traffic started backing up northbound. A tractor trailer failed to stop striking multiple vehicles."

A lane of traffic was closed for seven hours, Dodson said. 

See the full story at: www.bradenton.com/breakingnews/story/160682.html