3 dead in fiery crash on I-275 in northern Manatee County

Three people died this morning on Interstate 275 in northern Manatee County after the driver of a pickup truck crashed into a utility pole. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the driver and two passengers were killed in the accident.

The accident occurred at 3:17 a.m. near Mile Marker 1, which is in the Palmetto area. According to police, the driver left the road, entered a median and crashed into the pole. The pickup then caught fire.

The driver and two passengers were pronounced dead at the scene.

Police officers said the people who died had not been positively identified as of Wednesday morning.

Further details were not initially disclosed. The crash is still under investigation.