JUNE 17, 2015
WALKERTOWN, NC
State highway patrol officers are trying to determine what caused a tanker truck to overturn on U.S. 158 near Goodwill Church Road Wednesday afternoon, causing its chemical load to spill onto the road.
The tanker was carrying a mixture of hexamine and water, said Command Officer Ken Kennedy with Belews Creek Fire and Rescue.
Hexamine is a chemical used to
make other chemical compounds such as plastics, pharmaceuticals and
rubber additives, according to several websites. It also can be used as a
food additive and to produce plastic explosives.
Battalion Chief Sandy Shepherd of
the Winston-Salem Fire Department said the chemical has a flammable
component, but the batch the tanker was hauling was diluted and didn’t
pose a fire threat.
It appeared the tanker truck ran off the highway about 3:20 p.m., struck a tree and overturned, authorities said.
The driver of the tanker, who wasn’t identified, was taken to a hospital, as was a Winston-Salem firefighter.
Assistant Chief Harry Brown said
that the firefighter, who wasn’t identified, scratched his face, risking
contamination. The firefighter was decontaminated at the scene but
taken to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center as a precaution. The driver
was conscious and talking after the accident, authorities said.
Traffic was detoured in the area as crews worked to clean up the spill.
Winston-Salem firefighters assisted Walkertown, Piney Grove and Belews Creek firefighters to contain the spill.
Crews from A&D Environmental
Services Inc. of Archdale removed most of the chemical mixture from the
overturned tanker. Two tow trucks then rolled the tanker back on its 18
wheels.
Shaniqua Michaux, who lives on Goodwill Church Road, watched as nearly 20 emergency vehicles responded to the crash.
“I think it’s crazy,” Michaux said of the wreck.
The N.C. Highway Patrol is investigating the wreck.