SHARPSBURG, Pa. — Southbound Route 28 in Sharpsburg may be closed during the morning commute as first responders continue to clean up after a tanker truck crashed onto its side and spilled thousands of gallons of diesel.
Allegheny County Emergency Services Chief Matt Brown says the single-vehicle crash happened around 5:15 p.m. near Exit 5 to Etna. The driver of the truck suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
Etna Fire Chief Greg Porter says diesel was on fire on the roadway when they got on scene. The truck did not catch fire but was damaged in the crash.
The tanker truck holds 7,500 gallons of diesel, but the portion damaged in the crash holds 2,200 to 2,500 gallons, Porter said. All of the diesel within the damaged part of the truck leaked out onto Route 28 or into Pine Creek.
It’s not currently known how much diesel ended up in the creek. Boom operations are in effect at several points in the creek and its connection to the Allegheny River.
Brown says the closure of the southbound lanes could last through the morning rush hour, even as first responders work through the night to remove diesel from the truck, right it and tow it away, and inspect the roadway to make sure it’s safe.
In the meantime, drivers should get off southbound Route 28 at Exit 5, then turn left on Kittanning Street, then left onto Butler Street to re-enter southbound Route 28.
This is a developing story that will be updated as Channel 11 learns more.
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