ALACHUA COUNTY, Fla. -- It is one of the worst pileups in our state's history. Eleven people were killed and more than 40 injured on I-75 Jan. 29.
The highway had been closed because of fog and smoke from the Paynes Prairie wildfire. The Florida Highway Patrol reopened the highway, but they say the crashes was not their fault.
Attorney Daniel Glassman represents one of the crash victims and disagrees. "We are extremely disappointed that the State of Florida and the Florida Highway Patrol didn't come forward and admit their fault," he said.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigated and made seven recommendations that included having a list of daily fire reports, creating a policy to reopen roads safely, and putting up more signs.
But the Florida Highway Patrol says those recommendations couldn't have prevented what happened that morning. The report says, "the rapidly changing conditions could not be predicted."
The agency also blame the drivers involved saying, "some drivers stopped on the roadways" and "some drivers did not take the proper precautions and slow their speed to prepare for reduced visibility."
"Certainly we understand that the State of Florida can't control fires. They can't control fog, but what they do control is the opening and closing of I-75," said Glassman.
Since the pileup there have been 13 notices filed for possible lawsuits against the state.
