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At least seven individuals have been hospitalized as a result of multiple accidents that occurred on Interstate 75 this afternoon due to rain, including a 20-car pile-up, with emergency responders reporting that the southbound lanes remain closed in Ocala as of 6:50 p.m.
All southbound lanes of I-75, south of Exit 358, are currently closed as emergency crews respond to multiple crashes on the scene caused by hazardous driving conditions following a brief period of rain.
According to the Ocala Fire Rescue, a series of traffic accidents began along the highway just after 2:30 p.m. on Friday. The first accident was reported at 2:34 p.m. That incident involved multiple vehicles and occurred just south of the southbound exit on the highway to U.S. Highway 27 (i.e., Exit 354).
As OFR and Marion County Fire Rescue units responded to that scene, a second accident was reported on I-75 south, near mile marker 353.
According to OFR, due to the proximity of the crash sites, responding units divided to secure the scenes and provide immediate medical attention to those involved.
While additional first responders were en route to the scene, additional calls reported further collisions north near Exit 354.
Among these was a “significant pile-up” involving nearly 20 vehicles, with vehicles affected both inside and outside of Ocala’s jurisdiction, according to OFR.
In total, seven patients were transported to area hospitals for treatment due to several multi-vehicle collisions reported between 2:34 p.m. and approximately 4:00 p.m., along the interstate.
Videos maintained by the Florida Department of Transportation show vehicles stopped in traffic for miles along the highway south of Exit 358 in the southbound lanes.
As of 6:45 p.m., traffic is still severely impacted, with multiple lane closures still in effect along I-75 in Ocala. Authorities are urging motorists to avoid the area or proceed with extreme caution.
This story is developing. Check back for more information and updates on the highway as they become available.
The incident marks the second complete shutdown of one side of the highway this week alone.
On Wednesday, the southbound lanes on the highway were shut down for several hours after a dump truck crashed into an overpass.

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