Crash on I-75 Southbound Express Lanes Near Miami Gardens Drive Injures Three, Prompts Hours-Long Closure

What happened

A three-person injury crash disrupted the Thursday morning commute on Interstate 75 in northwest Miami-Dade, forcing the temporary shutdown of the southbound express lanes near Miami Gardens Drive. One person was airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center, while two others were evaluated at the scene.

Emergency crews responded at about 7:40 a.m. to the crash location in the express lanes. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue’s helicopter landed on the highway to transport the most seriously injured patient. Of the other two people, one was taken by ground ambulance to a hospital and the other declined transportation after being assessed by paramedics.

Traffic impacts and timeline

The closure affected only the southbound express lanes, with traffic diverted into the general-purpose lanes. Congestion extended well beyond the immediate area during the morning peak, with backups reported north into Broward County. The express lanes later reopened, restoring normal flow through the corridor.

• Location: I-75 southbound express lanes near Miami Gardens Drive (northwest Miami-Dade)
• Response time: around 7:40 a.m., Thursday
• Medical outcomes reported at scene: 1 airlifted; 1 transported by ground; 1 refused transport
• Road status: southbound express lanes closed for hours, then reopened

Why air rescues are used on highways

Air transport is typically deployed when patients require rapid access to advanced trauma care or when ground transport would be significantly delayed by traffic, distance, or scene constraints. Landing a helicopter on an interstate requires coordination that can temporarily halt traffic in the affected direction, particularly in managed express lanes where shoulder space and access points are limited.

Motorists should anticipate secondary crashes and sudden stops during lane closures and diversions, particularly near express-lane access points and merge zones.

What remains unknown

Authorities had not publicly released details on the cause of the crash, the number of vehicles involved, or the identity and specific medical condition of the airlifted patient at the time of reporting. Any determinations about fault or contributing factors are expected to depend on the ongoing traffic investigation.

What drivers should know in similar incidents

When express lanes are closed, traffic often compresses quickly into fewer general lanes, increasing the risk of rear-end collisions near diversion points. Drivers approaching lane closures are advised to slow early, avoid abrupt lane changes, and follow posted signs and responder directions until normal traffic patterns resume.