Tractor-trailer diesel spill causes backup on
Mass Pike
Posted: Dec 31, 2014 2:50 PM EST Updated: Dec 31,
2014 3:43 PM EST
By Tony Consiglio, Managing Editor
CHARLTON, MA (WSHM) - A tractor-trailer has crashed on
the Mass Pike, causing substantial backups in both directions.
The crash occurred in Charlton at mile marker 83 around 2 Wednesday afternoon.
State police say the two left lanes are closed on both sides of the Pike, and will likely be closed until at least 6 or 7 p.m.
Officials say about 100 gallons of fuel has spilled, and hazmat crews have been called.
The truck was carrying salad dressing, and some of that has also spilled onto the roadway.
Two other vehicles were also involved in the crash, but no one was seriously injured.
Police are urging travelers to seek alternate routes.
The crash occurred in Charlton at mile marker 83 around 2 Wednesday afternoon.
State police say the two left lanes are closed on both sides of the Pike, and will likely be closed until at least 6 or 7 p.m.
Officials say about 100 gallons of fuel has spilled, and hazmat crews have been called.
The truck was carrying salad dressing, and some of that has also spilled onto the roadway.
Two other vehicles were also involved in the crash, but no one was seriously injured.
Police are urging travelers to seek alternate routes.
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New Year's truck crash snarls traffic on Mass Pike
RIG LANDS ON GUARDRAIL IN CHARLTON
A tractor-trailer
crash on Interstate 90, the Massachusetts Turnpike in Charlton near the
Auburn line, has slowed traffic in both directions Wednesday evening.
The truck is laying across the the median of the highway impacting
travel in the westbound and eastbound lanes. (T&G STAFF/CHRISTINE
PETERSON)
Traffic was able to get by at first, but soon travel was restricted to one lane. (MASSACHUSETTS STATE POLICE) Enlarge photo
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The driver, Lee Finkley, 43, of Fayetteville, North Carolina, was taken by ambulance to UMass Memorial Medical Center — University Campus in Worcester for treatment of what state police said were minor injuries.
The one vehicle crash occurred just after 2 p.m. near the Auburn town line. Mr. Finkley was headed west on the turnpike when he lost control of the 2014 Freightliner and it rolled over onto the median guardrail. The tractor came to rest in the left travel lane on the westbound side and the trailer ended up on the eastbound side, blocking the two left travel lanes, state police Sgt. Thomas Ryan said.
State police said traffic was backed up for about 10 miles in both directions as investigators and emergency response personnel worked at the scene. The congestion was eased by 10 p.m. Wednesday night, but several lanes remained closed while debris and fuel were being cleared from the accident scene.
“It's still a mess,” Sgt. Ryan said Wednesday night. “It was a mess, they are still cleaning up the debris. There is also the issue of the fuel spill.”
The cause of the crash remained under investigation Wednesday night with the assistance of the state police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Section. Charlton Fire and Rescue and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation also assisted.