GRANGER TOWNSHIP, Ohio — An overturned tanker truck snarled freeway traffic on Wednesday after it crashed on I-271 near Granger Township around 4 a.m.
I-271 was closed in both directions between I-71 and I-77 (Route 94 and Brecksville Road). Police and fire crews, as well as a hazmat team, were brought in to clear the crash. I-271 reopened shortly after 3 p.m.
Granger Township Fire Chief Steve Kamp said that 4,000 to 6,000 gallons of ethanol were spilled. By 11 a.m., the truck had been uprighted and removed. The tanker held 8,000 gallons of ethanol.
The truck driver, a 32-year-old man from Maple Heights, was taken to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries for evaluation.
"Having to shut down a major interstate, especially during rush hour, does pose traffic concerns. People have to re-route," Kamp said.
Had a fire erupted, it would have posed a challenge for fire crews because the liquid would have burned clear.
"Fortunately, with the containment, we did not have to evacuate any residents in the vicinity. We're able to contain it," Kamp said.
According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, a preliminary investigation revealed the driver fell asleep behind the wheel.
The cleanup of the ethanol spill continued throughout Wednesday with the state Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on the scene.
"They will test the soil to make sure that they have gotten all of the alcohol out of it and then replace it with fresh soil," Kamp said.
The tanker is owned by HOC Transport in Akron. The company's safety director offered no comment, except that the company is investigating.
"We appreciate the public’s patience as crews work diligently to secure the area and ensure the safety of everyone involved,” said Granger Lt. Johnathon Tibbs. “Our top priority is containing the spill, protecting the community, and reopening the roadway as soon as it is safe to do so.”
Chief Kamp said he was grateful for the help Granger Township received from multiple fire departments and that the situation did not end tragically.
"This is what we do. We have the equipment. We have the auto response in place to handle these kind of situations," Kamp said.
As of Wednesday evening, Kamp said emergency crews successfully up-righted and removed the tanker truck, and all remaining ethanol in the center of the median, which had been contained behind the dams, was safely transferred into containment tanks.
Kamp also said the area of the incident has been turned over to OSHP, ODOT and EPA for continued assessment and any necessary follow-up actions.
Motorists are asked to use caution while traveling the area as cleanup continues and to be aware of some lane restrictions that may remain as agencies finish their work.
