Mount Airy, MD (JK) – A tanker truck driver was killed early Tuesday morning after the fuel tanker he was operating overturned along Interstate 70 in Frederick County, causing a large diesel fuel spill and shutting down westbound traffic for several hours.
According to the Maryland State Police, the crash was reported around 1:45 a.m. in the westbound lanes of I-70 near mile marker 61, at the Route 75 interchange in the New Market area.
Troopers say the single-vehicle crash involved a tractor trailer hauling approximately 7,700 gallons of diesel fuel. Investigators said the tanker was traveling westbound when it left the roadway to the right and overturned.
The crash caused a significant diesel fuel leak onto the roadway, prompting a large emergency response that included hazardous materials crews and the Maryland Department of the Environment.
Emergency crews extricated the driver from the wreckage, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities have not yet released the victim’s identity.
Because of the fuel spill and cleanup operation, westbound Interstate 70 was closed at Route 27 for several hours Tuesday morning, with traffic diverted onto Route 27 while crews worked to contain and remove the diesel fuel. Officials initially warned the closure could last for several hours.
The westbound on-ramp at Route 75 was also shut down during the response.
By approximately 7:11 a.m., some lanes had reopened, and by 8:30 a.m., all westbound lanes were fully reopened to traffic, according to police.
State police say the cause of the crash remains under investigation.
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