MYNORTHWEST NEWS

State Patrol: Gas tanker crash caused 2 injuries, spilled thousands of gallons

Mar 14, 2023, 9:50 AM | Updated: 10:12 am

Diesel cleanup I-5 lacey...

The state has been shutting down the left lane of southbound Interstate 5 in Lacey for the better part of the last six weeks cleaning up diesel (Photo from Washington State Patrol)

(Photo from Washington State Patrol)

Update 3/14 10:05 a.m.:

New details about a double fuel tanker wreck on I-5 near Lacey that slowed traffic to a crawl for hours Monday.

Washington state patrol troopers say two men– the 43-year-old driver of the tanker and a 21-year-old passenger– were taken to the hospital.

Troopers believe the driver was going too fast for the conditions, which caused the truck to roll.

Ty Keltner is with the Washington Department of Ecology spills program, said that one of the truck’s tanks was carrying about 7,000 gallons of gasoline, and it’s “intact.” The other tank was carrying about 4,000 gallons of diesel, and that did rupture, spilling into the highway drains.

The crash and cleanup took more than 11 hours.

Update 3/13 3:34 p.m.:

Fuel has been offloaded from the fuel tanks at the site of the crash, with crews now working to right the tanks and remove them from the scene. Travel continues to be reduced to one lane in this area.

Update 3/13 12:18 p.m.:

The tanker is still blocking the road way and will take several more hours to clean, according to Trooper Robert Reyer with the Washington State Patrol.

Original:

A rolled-over tanker in Lacey is causing major backups on southbound Interstate 5 after a crash early Monday morning.

The double tanker semi-truck crashed near Carpenter Road NE at about 6 a.m. Monday morning.

Wrong-way driver arrested for DUI after crashing into semi on I-5

The tanker truck was carrying gasoline and when it rolled over, about half of its load spilled, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation. The other half remained in the tanker.

Two people have been taken to the hospital with only minor injuries. The two right lanes remain blocked, with only one lane open for traffic to get by.

Shortly before 8 a.m., WSDOT said that the lane closure on southbound I-5 would last for an extended period on Monday due to the complex cleanup scene and recovery of the fuel.

Drivers are asked to avoid the area during the lane closure.

There is no estimated time for when the lanes will reopen.

MyNorthwest News

KIRO Newsradio gracie awards...

MyNorthwest Staff

KIRO Newsradio anchors receive Gracie Awards for outstanding work

Heather Bosch and Lisa Brooks, anchors at KIRO Newsradio, have been honored by the Alliance for Women in Media with prestigious Gracie Awards.

2 hours ago

Kia Boys...

Kate Stone, KIRO Newsradio and Bill Kaczaraba, MyNorthwest

‘Kia Boys’ allegedly execute a crime spree in south King County

Renton police chased down a 14-and 16-year-old but are still looking for two other teen suspects in what they said was a "crime spree" in south King County.

3 hours ago

Spanaway woman shot dead...

Kate Stone

Search for shooter continues after woman shot dead while driving in Spanaway

A 47-year-old woman was shot dead in Spanaway, causing her to hit another driver head-on early Wednesday morning.

4 hours ago

nintendo redmond...

Frank Sumrall

Nintendo to lay off 86 Redmond employees this spring

Nintendo of America is laying off 86 contract workers in Redmond, beginning May 25, due to company reorganization.

5 hours ago

Everett boy missing...

Sam Campbell

4-year-old Everett boy missing, police worried he’s in danger

Police and Search and Rescue crews are looking for a missing four-year-old boy they suspect could be in danger.

6 hours ago

Image: The awnings of a store advertise the sale of lottery tickets, including Mega Millions and Po...

Steve Coogan

Lottery jackpots update: Powerball prize jumps again after $1.1B Mega Millions win

A lottery jackpots update: The Powerball prize reached an estimated $935 million ahead of Saturday night's drawing.

16 hours ago

State Patrol: Gas tanker crash caused 2 injuries, spilled thousands of gallons