Wednesday, April 8, 2015

FUEL TANKS OF BIG RIGS ARE TOO EASY TO PIERCE, SPILLING MILLIONS OF GALLONS OF FUEL EVERY YEAR: ANOTHER 222 GALLONS OF FUEL SPILL FROM A BIG RIG IN MANSFIELD, OHIO




APRIL 8, 2015

MANSFIELD, OHIO

Lexington-Springmill Road between Cook Road and Marion Avenue was closed all day Wednesday due to a gasoline spill.

A commercial gasoline truck spilled 222 gallons of fuel at 4:39 a.m. Wednesday in and around an area of Lexington-Springmill Road.

Mike Bailey, director of the Richland County Emergency Management Agency, said fortunately a truck carrying fertilizer did not lose its product in the two-vehicle crash.

From the scene, it was apparent the fuel tanker had a hole on the driver's side of the tank.

A press release from the Mansfield post of the Highway Patrol said the crash involved a 1994 Peterbilt semi hauling a box trailer and a 2012 Freightliner semi hauling a tank trailer. Both vehicles were northbound on Lexington-Springmill Road. The Peterbilt stopped in the traffic lane due to the steep grade of the hill. 

The Freightliner attempted to drive around and the Peterbilt rolled backward and struck the tank trailer of the Freightliner, according to the patrol.

No names were immediately provided of the drivers of both of the vehicles.
Bailey added, "There was no breach in fertilizer."

Capt. Steve Krock of the Springfield Fire Department, said fuel was shooting from the tank onto a yard when firefighters arrived before 5 a.m. Wednesday.
The Mansfield post of the Highway Patrol was asking motorists Wednesday to avoid South Lexington-Springmill Road.

The road remained closed Wednesday between Cook Road and Marion Avenue.

The alternate route is Cook Road to Trimble Road to Marion Avenue (or reverse), the patrol said.