Ex-Buc Leonard Fournette escapes injury after SUV catches fire on I-275

Former Bucs running back Leonard Fournette escaped injury late Tuesday morning after his vehicle caught fire as he drove northbound on Interstate 275.

Fournette, currently a free agent, was traveling on the interstate when his black 2021 Dodge Durango experienced a vehicle fire due to a mechanical issue at the Fowler Avenue overpass. Sgt. Steve Gaskins of the Florida Highway Patrol said Fournette, 28, came to a controlled stop along the inside shoulder and exited the vehicle safely and without injury.

The Durango, however, appeared to be irreparably charred. Tampa Fire Rescue, which responded to the scene, reported that flames were coming from the engine compartment before they were extinguished.

Traffic on I-275 was halted in the northbound direction near the Fowler Avenue exit until the fire was brought under control, according to Tampa Fire Rescue.

Fournette posted a video to Instagram of the incident.

“Man it was one of those days today, but I would like thank God, my car caught on fire while I was driving, But (I am) still blessed,” he wrote on Instagram.

Fournette spent the past three seasons with the Bucs, starting 25 of his 43 regular-season games in pewter and scoring 17 touchdowns. After a highly turbulent 2020 regular season, he evolved into a folk hero of sorts in the playoffs, totaling 300 rushing yards and 148 receiving yards in four contests, culminating with a prolific effort (135 total yards, one touchdown) in Super Bowl 55.

He’s currently a free agent after being released by the Bucs during the offseason in a salary cap move.

Contact Joey Knight at jknight@tampabay.com. Follow @TBTimes_Bulls.

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