Tanker semi-truck overturns near Utica

UTICA, Ohio – A three-vehicle accident involving a tanker semi-truck near the village of Utica has closed a major roadway and caused a hazmat crew to be called in. 

Captain Darl Evans, Licking County Sheriff Department, said that they received a call at around 3:30 p.m. on Monday. 

“Initial investigation shows that there was a semi-truck traveling eastbound on US 62. The semi was hauling gasoline, it appears that a SUV was traveling westbound and went left to center and struck the semi. The driver of the semi was transported by personal vehicle for minor injuries. The driver of the SUV was flow to Columbus,” Evans said.

Captain Evans said that the third vehicle involved in the accident was trying to avoid the initial crash between the semi and the SUV, but as a result, drove into a pickup truck pulling a trailer that was behind the semi. The driver of that vehicle unharmed.

Evans said that the semi was hauling near 8,500 gallons of gasoline.  He also stated that nearly 100 gallons of gas had leaked out of the tanker by the time the hazmet crew had the leak under control.

Evans couldn’t state the condition of the driver of the SUV or how long it would take the crew to clean up the debris from the accident, but he said that there would a lane open for traffic to pass through.