Rain and wet roads played in a role Sunday in a series of crashes on I-75 in Sumter County that had the northbound side of the highway shut down for about two hours, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

Troopers began arriving on the scene at 2:30 p.m. and eventually identified 11 crashes totaling 27 vehicles. Seven occupants with minor injuries were taken to area hospitals, including Leesburg Regional and Sumter Medical.

The northbound lanes of I-75 were reopened just after 4:30 p.m.

The FHP is urging drivers - many of whom are college students returning from spring break - to use caution on the highways by reducing speed, increasing following distance and using wipers and headlights.