January 9, 1986

Truck wreck, chemical spill ties up traffic

       Johnson County law enforcement and fire officials spent a large part of the morning cleaning up fuel oil and paint products spilled from a semi tractor trailer that overturned off State Road 37 north of Smith Valley Road in White River Township.  Sheriff’s deputies estimate $50,000 damage was done to the semi and its cargo of paint thinner and staining products in the accident at 3:14 a.m. today.  Traffic was backed up at the accident scene as several agencies pitched in to clean up the leaking chemicals, but no serious injuries were reported in the mishap.

         The semi, driven by Walter F. Saylor, 42, Chepachet, R.I., was headed north on State Road 37, when it pulled to the right.  Saylor and deputies investigating the accident believe a tire blew out on the semi, which was carrying 790 cans of thinner and stain, causing Saylor to lose control of the rig.  The truck sideswiped a guardrail, went over the embankment and slid 50 yards north of the bridge, stopping short of the creek.  The semi tractor is considered a total loss, and heavy damage was done to the trailer, a Johnson County Sheriff’s Department spokesperson said.  Saylor complained of leg pain and was taken to Johnson County Memorial Hospital in Franklin for X-rays.  He was later released.

         Johnson County sheriff’s deputies and fire officials were concerned that diesel fuel leaking from the semi and the stain and paint thinner products would contaminate Messersmith Creek, a tributary of White River.  About 200 gallons of diesel fuel spilled onto the ground, but most of the paint products did not spill, said Johnson County Sheriff’s Deputy Steve Byerly.  Sam Williams, Johnson County civil defense director, was called to the scene, as were three Johnson County sheriff’s deputies and members of the White River Volunteer Fire Department.  Greenwood and Bargersville Fire departments also helped at the site, as well as the Johnson County Highway Department.  Highway Department crews brought sand to dam up the spilled chemicals so they would not contaminate the creek, Williams said.

         Traffic on northbound State Road 37 was limited to one lane during the cleanup process that lasted until about 8 a.m. today.  Investigators are checking to see if the semi should have been marked as carrying flammable materials.  Williams and White River Fire Chief Bob Wehrman both said the semi did not have a flammable materials placard.  Williams said he and other fire officials believe the truck may not be required to carry a placard because the items were packaged for retail sale.  Williams praised all the agencies that helped clean up the spill.  Police and fire officials involved in the cleanup will meet later this week to critique their efforts.  They will also look at forming guidelines for handling future chemical mishaps, Williams said.

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