Traffic backs up US 90 in downtown Macclenny the morning of July10.

Traffic in and around Macclenny snarled for most of the day July 10, the result of re-routed westbound interstate traffic due to a semi-truck accident about 9 that morning just west of US 301 in Baldwin.

The Florida Highway Patrol re-opened the two westbound lanes of Interstate 10 late that afternoon, and stationed officers at two key traffic lights on US 90 at South 5th and South 6th in Macclenny, manually operating them for optimum traffic flow.

Hundreds of large semis, however, had to negotiate tight left turns onto South 6th before heading south back to the interstate, and that slowed busy daytime traffic on main arteries through downtown.

FHP reported the driver of a 2011 International semi over-steered as he attempted to re-enter the outside lane after veering off onto the emergency lane one-half mile west of US 301.

The truck and trailer then overturned onto its left side and slid to a stop, blocking both lanes.

Driver Brandon Douglas, 24, of Newburn, TN and passenger James Taylor, 31, of Scranton, SC both received minor injuries and were treated at the scene. Charges pend further investigation.

FHP trooper manually controls traffic light during the detour.

Innocent Opara, a pharmacist and owner of Macclenny Pharmacy who was on his way to work here, said he was directly behind the semi when it overturned and along with others helped the occupants to safety.

“It was about 8:50 and all of the sudden we saw this truck about 100 yards ahead. It went off the road and came back on and then overturned,” he recalled. Mr. Opara was with his wife at the time.

“One person was already on top of the truck pulling one of them out. One had blood on his hand and the other man had no blood; they seemed to be okay,” he said. “Rescue and police got there and we continued on to Macclenny.”

Traffic diversions onto US 90 from the interstate due to accidents are infrequent but not uncommon. Most occur in the Sanderson-Glen St. Mary corridor.

I-10 was closed most recently from Sanderson west to Lake City in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Debby due to flooding in portions of the Osceola National Forest.