Manatee Co, FL – DUI Head-On Crash on I-75 Injures Two Near MM 228

Manatee Co, FL (April 24, 2025) – A four-vehicle injury crash occurred early Thursday morning on I-75 when a suspected drunk driver traveling the wrong way caused a head-on collision, seriously injuring two people and triggering a major emergency response.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the crash took place around 4:00 a.m. near mile marker 228 in Manatee County. Troopers say 45-year-old Luis Alfredo Manzoni Diez, of Palm Beach, was driving southbound in the northbound lanes of I-75 when his vehicle collided head-on with a pickup truck. The force of the impact caused two other cars to crash, resulting in a multi-car wreck that shut down several lanes.

Emergency services, including Manatee County Fire Rescue and FHP troopers, responded to the scene. Two individuals sustained serious injuries and were transported by ambulance to a local hospital. The suspected drunk driver was taken into custody at the scene. His condition has not been disclosed, and charges are pending as the investigation continues.

Authorities closed the affected stretch of I-75 for several hours while crews worked to clear the wreckage and document the scene. Traffic was diverted, and drivers were advised to avoid the area until lanes reopened later in the morning.

Our thoughts are with those injured in this crash. We wish them a full and speedy recovery.