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.