Northbound I-75 open again after death of a pedestrian

Marion County Fire Rescue firefighters prepare to clean up the remains, not shown, as Florida Highway Patrol Troopers investigate the scene where a dead woman was found in the middle of Interstate 75 just south of the County Road 484 exit in Belleview on Wednesday. Troopers are unsure of the circumstances of her death as she was discovered by Wildwood Police officers traveling north early Wednesday. By the time the officers spotted the body it was unrecognizable. Traffic was backed up for many miles.

Late in the day, officials still were trying to learn why the woman, who was registered as a guest at a nearby hotel and whose car was in the parking lot, was walking on the highway. They did not release her name, pending notification of next of kin.

Florida Highway Patrol troopers said two Wildwood police officers were traveling north on I-75 when they noticed an object lying in the road and thought it was suspicious. The officers got off at Mile Marker 341, the Belleview exit, and went back to investigate.

As they approached the object, the men stopped traffic as best as they could to take a closer look. Further inspection revealed it was a body, which was found in the middle lane roughly 400 yards from the exit.

The men called the Marion County Sheriff's Office, which in turn called the Florida Highway Patrol.

A spokesman for the Wildwood Police Department said the men were on their way home as they had worked the midnight shift.

FHP officials said they received the call shortly before 7 a.m.

Traffic along the highway was immediately stopped as troopers arrived and began to investigate.

FHP officials said they believe the woman was the victim of an accident and that her body had been hit multiple times. They did not know what time the accident occurred.

Among the motorists coming to a halt on the roadway was Dr. Jean Claude Norman, from Palm City, who was on his way to Valdosta, Ga., to attend a church convention. Norman, whose vehicle was at the head of the thousands parked on the highway, said he came to a stop around 6:59 a.m. and could see some officers, but he did not witness any accident.

Richard Brauer said he was trying to get home to Missouri after he and his family were on vacation in Orlando. He said he had to be at work at 7 a.m. Thursday and was wondering with the long delay if he was going to make it back in time.

“I may have to drive all night,” he said, standing in the roadway a few yards from the scene of the accident.

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