VIDEO: Driver stopping for turtle causes chain reaction crash in Florida

WALTON COUNTY, Fla. (WEAR) — A chain reaction crash in Florida was caused by a driver stopping to let a turtle cross the highway, according to authorities.

It happened Tuesday on Highway 331 around 7 a.m. EDT.

The Walton County Sheriff's Office released video showing a pickup truck stopped in the road for a turtle in the middle of the street.

Deputies said it was a "decision that caused a chain reaction affecting multiple vehicles including a large semi, which SURPRISE, don’t exactly stop on a dime."

No one was seriously injured, according to the sheriff's office.

The sheriff's office used the incident to remind drivers about safe and smart driving pertaining to animals.

We all can do better to protect the wildlife and natural inhabitants of our great state," according to the sheriff's office. "Residents and visitors alike should marvel at the many species who call Florida home. Just preferably not in the middle of the road. ...We don’t advise causing a road obstruction because of a reptilian obstruction. ...While no ill intentions were meant, trying to avoid or assist an animal who has made its way onto a busy road can cause you or other drivers serious injuries. So, when you come across this predicament in the future and find yourself asking, “to swerve or not to swerve” or “to stop and protect” we hope the answer will now be an obvious one."

Deputies added the turtle survived and is now living "happily ever after in a pond where he will (hopefully) spend the rest of his days avoiding pavement of any kind."