Thursday, June 16, 2011
Cleanup Undertaken In Fatal Thursday Crash
Containment and cleanup efforts were undertaken in the Summertown area in the wake of a fatal crash that involved a tanker truck early Thursday.
Reports indicate the crash occurred sometime before 5:00 a.m. on Highway 20, near the Turnpike intersection. The driver of the tanker truck, Junior Peters, 73, of Corinth, Mississippi, was reportedly transporting “tack oil” used in road paving.
Reports filed through the Tennessee Highway Patrol show that Peters was traveling eastbound, negotiating a curve, when his load shifted and caused the truck to leave the roadway, then overturn. Officials indicate Peters was killed on impact.
Numerous emergency agencies assisted in the operation. The Lawrenceburg Hazardous Materials Team worked to contain a spill when it was learned that the contents of the tanker were leaking, posing an environmental hazard.
Highway crews worked to erect a series of retaining walls to contain and filter the spill. The efforts were geared toward preventing contaminants from entering a small stream that feeds into nearby Saw Creek.
Once the spill was somewhat contained crews were able to upright the truck and extricate Peters.
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