Accident shuts down I-70 westbound

MUSKINGUM COUNTY, Ohio- The Muskingum County Emergency Management Agency said I-70 westbound was closed down to one lane on May 17th due to a semi-truck accident resulting in a fuel spill.

Both lanes of I-70 westbound have since reopened. Ohio State Highway Patrol Trooper Rich Lanning said the accident occurred around 3:00 p.m. just before the Gratiot exit which led to diesel fuel spilling.

“He jackknifed and drove off into the median in the process his trailer hit his semi-truck and it ruptured his fuel tank spilling about 90 gallons of diesel fuel,” said Lanning.

EMA Director Jeff Jadwin said it is going to take hours for the fuel to be cleaned up. He said the biggest worry for the EMA is to make sure a heavy rainstorm doesn’t lead to any fuel leaking into Kent Run creek.

“We’re starting to get rain. That’s a big concern. We’re waiting on a cleanup company to show up to start the cleanup process. We’re digging ditches and trying to stop the flow and got a lot of material down to soak it up but as the rain adds to it, it just makes it more difficult,” said Jadwin.

Lanning said the driver of the semi-truck was charged with failure to control. There were no injuries reported.