Smyrna – At approximately 8:20 am this morning a car blew a tire and veered in front of a tanker truck, forcing the truck off the road, according to officials on scene. The driver of the tanker truck was trapped in the vehicle for a period of time. Arriving crews extricated the driver and he was transported via Trooper 4 to Christiana Hospital with serious injuries.
As the crash occurred the tanker began to leak fuel. Authorities have closed Route 1 in both directions near Smyrna. HAZMAT crews along with firefighter from across New Castle and Kent County have responsed to the scene.
An empty tanker was headed to the scene to off load the crashed tanker’s fuel, but indications are that much of the fuel may have leaked out, according to reports from the scene
This will be an extended cleanup. Expect lengthy delays in the area and seek alternate routes of travel.
State Police said that road closures of up to 12 hours are possible.
