I-75 tragedy: FHP releases names of some injured, but dead are still unknown

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Rescue workers work the scene of the Jan. 29 multiple fatal crash on I-75 in Alachua County. Alachua County Sheriff's Office
The view from a police cruiser on the morning of Jan. 29. Alachua County Sheriff's Office

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January 30, 2012

Staff Suwannee Democrat The Suwannee Democrat Tue Jan 31, 2012, 08:17 AM EST

Live Oak — The Florida Highway Patrol has released the names of some of those involved in early Sunday morning’s deadly crashes on I-75 near Paynes Prairie in Alachua County that killed 10 people and injured at least 20. The names of the deceased, however, are still being withheld.

According to FHP, the crash occurred about 2.9 miles south of Gainesville at mile marker 379 around 4:01 a.m.

Heavy smoke in the area from a brush fire in Paynes Prairie caused reduced visibility in the area, which, according to FHP, contributed to the crash.

In the two reports released by FHP Monday afternoon, the six vehicles noted were traveling southbound on I-75 and entered heavy smoke.

“Several other collisions had just occurred in front of this collision southbound and northbound,” FHP Cpl. W. Berger wrote.

A 2006 Freightliner tractor-trailer, driven by 58-year-old Monroe Millwood, of Nicholson, Ga., came to a stop in the right outside lane. A 2011 Volvo tractor-trailer, driven by Cynthia Laird, 44, and whose passenger was Kenneth Laird, 52, both of Glen St. Mary, came to a stop in the middle travel lane. An unknown vehicle struck the rear of the 2006 Freightliner tractor-trailer, killing the driver and one passenger. A 2004 Ford SUV, driven by 27-year-old Shelise Ballew, Ocala, and whose passenger was Aimee Nelson, 27, also of Ocala, struck the rear of the unknown vehicle.

A 2008 Dodge truck, diven by Richard Szabados, 39, Silver Springs, struck the rear of the 2011 Volvo semi tractor-trailer. Finally, a second unknown vehicle struck the rear of the 2008 Dodge, killing the driver and only occupant.

“A post-crash fire consumed all the vehicles except for the (tractor-trailers), which were unhooked from their trailers after the fire started and moved to safety,” Berger wrote.

Szabados suffered minor injuries. The other survivors suffered none.