Fuel leak, semitrailer crash shuts down I-70 on Colorado plains

One person was injured Wednesday afternoon when a semitrailer crashed on Interstate 70 east of Denver, spilling fuel across the highway, according to the state patrol.

Colorado State Patrol troopers responded to the semitrailer crash on westbound I-70 at milemarker 324, near Deer Trail in Arapahoe County, at about 12:40 p.m. Wednesday, according to a news release from the agency.

The highway was temporarily closed in both directions between exit 328 and U.S. 40 so a medical helicopter could land, and paramedics took the driver to a nearby hospital with unknown injuries, state patrol said.

Investigators believe the semitrailer driver struck a water barrel in a construction zone on the highway and lost control. The semitrailer then struck multiple concrete barriers and veered to the side of the roadway, where it hit a guardrail, according to the Colorado State Patrol.

The driver was cited for careless driving and failure to present immediate evidence of insurance, state patrol officials said.

Eastbound I-70 reopened before 3:15 p.m. Wednesday, but the westbound lanes were closed for more than 4 1/2 hours after the crash, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation.

The lengthy closure was caused by the state patrol’s hazmat team cleaning up a “significant fuel leak” at the crash scene, according to the agency. It’s unknown how much fuel was spilled.

This is a developing story and may be updated.

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Source – Indonesia News