INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. — A tractor with a flatbed and forklift jackknifed on Nevada State Route 28 near Sand Harbor State Park after the driver lost control of the vehicle due to icy road conditions.
According to Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Charles Castor, the driver skidded out of control and struck two trees before jackknifing, blocking both traffic lanes.
Washoe County Sheriff’s Office came to assist with traffic control at Sand Harbor.
Provided/Washoe County Sheriff’s Office
The tractor began to leak coolant, oil, and diesel that was inside and on the vehicle.
The incident was reported at 12:19 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 22 to North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District and NHP. A tow truck was called and the correct size tow-truck arrived to remove the vehicle at 5 p.m.
NLTFPD led the initial cleanup along the part of the road that would drain to a creek that leads to the lake in order to stop any contamination.
Trooper Caster reported that while the vehicle was removed from the roadway at 5:45 p.m., the road remained closed until about 11 p.m. in order to finish the clean up of fluids.
“This is a hazmat situation,” said Trooper Caster. “It’s a very sensitive ecological area.”
Nevada Department of Transportation led the clean up operation and dispactched the environmental and industrial services company Clean Harbors based in Sparks to the scene. Clean Harbors cleaned up many gallons of liquids that were spilled on the roadway that was not already cleaned up by NLTFPD.
The clean-up took double the time that was originally estimated by officials, but overall it is believed that got the majority, if not all, of the hazardous waste from the accident.
The driver of the vehicle was taken to an area hospital to be treated for undisclosed injuries.
The road was closed until 11 p.m..
Washoe County Sheriff’s Office
The Tahoe Daily Tribune is a sister publication of the Sierra Sun.
Source: https://www.sierrasun.com/news/truck-leaks-coolant-oil-diesel-after-it-jackknifes-near-incline/
