I-95 Reopened After Toy Grenade Investigation
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- I-95 was shut down in both directions on Friday afternoon as authorities investigated what they thought looked like a real grenade.
They later found it was a toy and reopened I-95 from Hallandale Beach Boulevard to Miami Gardens Drive just after 3 p.m.
It all started when Florida Highway Patrol troopers responded to a roll over crash on I-95 between Ives Dairy Road and Miami Gardens Drive.
That's when the trooper spotted the item which prompted the investigation.
"The trooper was inventorying the vehicle. The trooper observed an object that looked like the grenade," said trooper Joe Sanchez. "We contacted the bomb squad who came to I-95 and looked at the grenade, determined that it was a toy grenade that looked very, very real."
The SUV driver couldn't tell the troopers it was harmless.
"This individual right now from my understanding is that he is very seriously injured and I believe he is on the operation table right now," said Sanchez.
Chopper4 was over the scene where just before 3 p.m., a banged up black SUV could also be seen nearby, on the emergency lane, along with a white car parked by the grass.
Traffic could be seen backed up for miles due to the closure.
Troopers are making no apologies about shutting down the interstate.
"Because we're always going to act in the caution of the public and the safety of the public. We determined that something in that car could have been an explosive device," said Sanchez.
It is not illegal to buy or sell or own a toy grenade that looks real unless you use it in the commission of a crime.
