Overturned tanker truck shuts down southbound lanes of Rt. 28, spills diesel fuel into nearby creek - CBS Pittsburgh
/ CBS Pittsburgh
Southbound lanes of Rt. 28 shut down due to overturned tanker truck
SHARPSBURG, Pa. (KDKA) -- The southbound lanes of Rt. 28 are closed in Sharpsburg after a tanker truck overturned and spilled a large amount of diesel fuel.
The crash happened just after 5 p.m. on Tuesday near the Etna/Butler exit.
An estimated 2,200 to 2,500 gallons of diesel fuel spilled during the crash with a large amount of it pouring into the nearby Pine Creek.
Etna Volunteer Fire Department Chief Greg Porter said crews who first arrived at the scene discovered some fuel on fire on the roadway, but said that thankfully, the truck itself was not on fire.
Chief Porter said it's going to be a lengthy process to get the remaining fuel out of the truck, get it uprighted, and get the highway cleaned up.
"It's an estimate at this point, but we do think it could lead into the morning rush," Chief Porter said.
The Cherry City Volunteer Fire Company said its crews deployed their swift water rescue team and worked with firefighters from Blawnox to try and contain the fuel in the creek to keep it from going into the Allegheny River.
The truck driver was injured in the crash but is expected to be okay.
The crash itself is under investigation from Pennsylvania State Police troopers out of the Kittanning barracks.
Mike Darnay is a digital producer and photojournalist at CBS Pittsburgh. Mike has also written and produced content for Vox Media and the Mon Valley Independent. He often covers overnight breaking news, the Pittsburgh Steelers and high school sports.
