The eastbound ramp from Interstate 480 to the Ohio Turnpike in Streetsboro reopened overnight Aug. 18 after thousands of gallons of fuel leaked from an overturned tanker truck.
Streetsboro Fire Department said it responded about 5:10 p.m. Aug. 17 and found a truck on its side off the ramp. Officials said the side of the tank was ripped open, and was leaking gasoline. A diesel fuel tank on the truck was also leaking.
Estimates list about 4,500 gallons of fuel leaked, and Portage County Hazardous Materials Response Team and an Ohio EPA representative responded. Hudson Fire Department provided mutual aid.
While the truck’s cab was badly damaged, the driver was not injured. Officials said the driver refused transport to a hospital. No emergency responders were injured, Streetsboro fire reported.
Streetsboro firefighters worked to stop the leak, but fuel entered a nearby drainage ditch. Hudson firefighters responded to a Mondial Parkway business that had closed for the day, finding fuel in storm drains.
Officials said the business’ emergency contact was informed and the building twice was checked for explosive vapors. None were found. Two hotels near the crash scene also were cleared.
The fuel spill was stopped before it could reach Tinkers Creek, which is less than a quarter mile from the crash site, the fire department said.
The hazmat team left about about 8:15 p.m., and the last firefighters left about 9:15 p.m., when the scene was turned over to the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission and a contracted cleanup company.
Streetsboro police reported the ramp had reopened about 3:30 a.m.
Reporter Jeff Saunders can be reached at jsaunders@recordpub.com.
This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Crews clean Streetsboro fuel spill after truck overturns at turnpike
Reporting by Jeff Saunders, Ravenna Record-Courier / Record-Courier
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Jeff Saunders, Ravenna Record-Courier | USA TODAY Network
