Tanker Truck Rolls Over

CHESTER, VT – At about 1 p.m. on May 11, a southbound 2020 Mack tanker truck transporting diesel fuel tipped over on Route 11 East near Elm Street in Chester, VT.

The truck failed to negotiate a right turn and cut a corner too sharply. That caused the rear right tandem trailer tires to cross over the right shoulder and go over a steep embankment. The weight of the cargo shifted in the trailer, which caused it to tip over. It then rolled onto its passenger side.

Due to the accident, Route 11 East was closed to traffic until about midnight. First responders addressed securing the hazardous cargo and containing a small leak.

Chester Police Officer Michael Randzio secured the area and explained the process.

"Chief Williams received a call around 12:20 p.m. May 11 about a report of a tractor trailer rollover," Randzio said. "Chief Williams and I responded. We found the tractor trailer rolled over on its side. We quickly shut down the road so people would no longer continue to drive through the scene. Secondarily, we confirmed what the truck was hauling and if any immediate actions had to be taken for safety."

The Vermont State Hazardous Materials Team was activated and came to the scene. The material had to be offloaded prior to any recovery efforts starting. According to Chief Thomas Williams, at no time was there an ongoing danger to the public.

"We learned that the truck was nearly full of diesel exhaust fluid, which is not harmful in the storage tank but once exposed to air or water can cause environmental damage. The truck driver was uninjured but evaluated by EMS personnel. Throughout the initial size up, we maintained good communication with the Fire Department so that they were prepared for what they would have to respond to," Randzio said.

In a written statement, Chief Williams overviewed the potential hazards.

"The small amount of leakage was stopped on the roadway and contained by the Chester Fire Department," the Chief said. "The recovery and offloading of the material were overseen by the VT Hazardous Materials Team."

The operator was given a warning for failure to maintain his vehicle on the traveled portion of the roadway. No injuries were reported.

The agencies involved in this incident included Unified Command of Chester Police, Chester Fire, Chester Ambulance, and VT State Hazardous Materials Team. Assisting agencies were the VT State Fire Marshals Office, Chester Highway Department, VT Rail System, Recovery by Reed Truck Services, spill response clean-up by Absolute, and material transfer and removal by Roberts.

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