Wednesday, March 4, 2015

2 SEMI-TRUCKS CRASH, LEAK FUEL; 1 DRIVER INJURED IN AUBURN, WASHINGTON STATE







MARCH 3, 2015

AUBURN, WASHINGTON

A Tuesday night crash involving two semi-trucks spilled fuel onto the roadway and snarled traffic on State Route 18 in Auburn.
The crash happened just before 9 p.m. in the eastbound lanes of SR-18 at the Auburn Way exit, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation.

It's unclear what caused the wreck, but two eastbound semi-trucks with loaded trailers collided. One of the trucks ended up on its side on the off-ramp to Auburn Way South, while the other came to rest on the on-ramp to SR-18, according to Valley Regional Fire Authority.
Both of the trucks, which were carrying potting soil and perishable items, leaked fuel onto the roadway.

A light pole and electrical box were also damaged in the crash, according to Washington State Patrol trooper Chris Webb. The crash blocked both the on-and off-ramps and caused major traffic delays in the area.

Kenneth Jacobs lives near the highway and was home with his family when he said he heard what sounded like an explosion.

"I looked up and just saw a truck coming right at us through the window. In an instant I just grabbed (my son) and dove to the other side of the house and just tried to get away. I thought the truck was coming through our living room," he said.

Two trees stopped the truck from crashing into the house.

One driver was taken to Multi Care Auburn Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries. The other driver was non-injured.

Webb said at least a portion of the road will remain closed to traffic well into Tuesday night and possibly into Wednesday morning as crews clear the scene and clean the fuel spill.