By James B. Bartle
A tractor-trailer transporting 6,441 gallons of acetone/xyleen, or carburetor/shelf cleaner, overturned on Highway 185 North, about a half mile south of Schmidt Lane, on Sun., Feb. 15, at 9:04 a.m.
Sullivan fire chief, Rich White, reported firefighters arrived on the accident scene at 9:15 a.m. and determined that the truck, traveling southbound, had run off the right side of the roadway and overturned.
The truck was being operated by Chemisphery Chemical, St. Louis, and driven by Dennis Werner, Washington.
“We arrived on the scene and determined that the truck was carrying a very flammable, hazardous material with a pin hole leak in the tank,” said White. “The truck was also leaking diesel fuel.”
The roadway was closed for more than six hours as firefighters secured the accident scene and worked to contain any leaks.
“HazMat crews came to the scene and pumped the material into another tanker truck at the scene,” said White. “The truck was hauling the chemical to Aerofil Technology here in Sullivan. The driver had picked up his truck in Beaufort shortly before the accident.”
The accident scene was controlled by Sullivan Fire Dept., Missouri Baptist Ambulance, Missouri Highway Patrol/DOT, and Franklin County Sheriff’s Department.
“All of the chemicals were removed and the accident scene was cleared by 3:55 p.m.,” said White.