DAVIS, W.Va. A truck leaking diesel fuel while driving through several counties is the suspected cause of four accidents Monday in Tucker and Randolph Counties.
The leak started around 11:15 a.m. on Route 32 near Davis and continued to Thomas, where the truck turned onto Route 219 South to Parsons and into Randolph County.
Tucker County Emergency Management Agency Director Kevin White said shortly after the leaker started, light rain began to fall.
“It’s obviously not conducive to mixing with diesel fuel or potentially oil,” White said. “And it did cause four separate incidents that we know of in Tucker and Randolph Counties.”
White said they were fortunate that none of the accidents were serious.
“To my knowledge, there were no injuries reported in any of them,” White said. “They were all substantial wrecks, but I don’t think there were any injuries.”
The West Virginia Department of Highways was notified and activated emergency notification signs, placed some temporary signage, and took steps to increase traction. The leak did not puddle or create a danger to water quality and could not be mitigated like a typical spill.
“In Tucker County, they placed some abrasive material on the road. I’m sure it was like a “crush and run” sand mixture—they placed that abrasive material on the road.”
White said they don’t have information on the truck that created the spill and will continue to search for its origin.
“Of the units here in Tucker County, all the emergency services and the DOH came together, and it was unfortunate there were wrecks, but I think the best outcome happened and we were able to overcome the situation.”