Mendocino County: Overturned lumber tractor causes oil spill
MENDOCINO COUNTY, Calif. - On January 19, at around 8:45 a.m., a truck tractor hauling lumber was traveling southbound on Highway 101 in Mendocino County, according to California Highway Patrol. According to the investigators, for reasons still unknown, the truck drifted to the right causing it to travel off the west edge of the highway.
CHP officers say the truck hit a guardrail and fell down a steep embankment towards State Route 271 before overturning on its left side, blocking both lanes. After the collision, authorities discovered the saddle fuel tank had been compromised and about 80 gallons of diesel fuel spilled into a near by storm drain.
Both lanes were closed by responding personnel so that preventative measures could be implemented to prevent further contamination as well as clean up lumber and debris.
According to investigators, a unified incident command was established on scene and was comprised of California Highway Patrol, Cal-Trans, Mendocino County Department of Health, as well as the Leggett Valley Volunteer Fire Department. The California Highway Patrol is still investigating the collision.
