Sunday, February 22, 2015

FATAL CRASH INVOLVING A TRUCK AND A SEMI TANKER TRAILER IN ASHBURN, GEORGIA CAUSES 2,400 GALLONS OF DIESEL OIL SPILL, 10 DEAD WILDLIFE ANIMALS






FEBRUARY 22, 2015

ASHBURN, GEORGIA (WISTV)

The Georgia Wildlife Rescue Association is assessing how many animals were impacted by Friday's fuel spill in Turner County.

The Environmental Protection Agency said more than 2,400 gallons of diesel fuel was spilled when a truck hit a semi near marker 88 on I-75.

Fifty-eight year old Gary Parker died in the crash. Georgia Wildlife Rescue Association said they found less than 10 dead wildlife animals as a result of the fuel spill.

" Usually when you have fuel spills or oil spills the first animals affected are birds and that was the case here and amphibians are also affected because they soak the oil in through their skin,” said Chet Powell, Director of Georgia Wildlife Rescue Association.

Powell said they plan to do a follow up near the crash site tomorrow. EPA officials said they hope to have the fuel cleaned up by tonight. Chet Powell with the Georgia Wildlife Rescue Association says his condolences go out to the Parker family.