Two tragic motor vehicle pileups in Florida grabbed national headlines this week after poor driving conditions led to numerous collisions and 11 people being killed. The deadly motor vehicle accidents occurred early Sunday morning on Interstate 75, just south of Gainesville.

Previously, officials said that 10 people had been killed in the accidents, but a third body was discovered in a wrecked pickup truck and the death toll was increased to 11. These are two of the worst vehicle pileups to ever occur in the state, and several victims are yet to be identified because of the destruction.

Apparently, the accidents began occurring around 30 minutes after the Florida Highway Patrol reopened a 14-mile stretch of highway that was closed Saturday night due to visibility problems. A combination of smoke and fog had made it almost impossible to see on the road.

The smoke reportedly came from a marsh fire that was set in Paynes Prairie Saturday and caused smoke to billow over Interstate 75. Officials haven't determined if the suspicious fire was set intentionally or accidently.

The Highway Patrol is taking a lot of heat for reopening the road when it did, after a supervisor declared that "it was clear." Obviously, the highway was not safe enough as a 6-vehicle pileup in the southbound lanes and a 10-vehicle pileup in the northbound lanes occurred so soon after.

The governor has ordered a formal investigation into the incident. It is highly possible that personal injury lawsuits could result. Most likely, the state could face liability for the potentially negligent actions of its employees, the Highway Patrol.

Source: Reuters, "Death toll in Florida pileups rises to 11," Feb. 1, 2012