Thousands Of Gallons Of Crude Oil Spilled In Semi-Trailer Crash

Wyoming Highway Patrol

Several thousand gallons of crude oil are believed to have leaked from a tractor-trailer following a crash near Wright in northeast Wyoming Sunday morning. 

According to a press release, the commercial truck was hauling a semi-trailer and pup trailer full of crude oil when it ran off Wyoming State Highway 450 and into a ditch. Truck driver Nathan Gibson then tried to steer the truck back onto the highway, but was unsuccessful, and the truck rolled.

In the crash, part of the pup trailer split open and crude oil leaked from both that puncture and from a hatch on the main trailer. Officials say thousands of gallons of crude oil spilled out.

Hazmat crews were dispatched to the scene and were able to stop the leaks and transfer the remaining crude oil to another tanker. Cleanup was completed around 8 p.m. Sunday.

After an inspection of the truck, Gibson was cited for failing to maintain a single lane of travel, as well as for other violations.

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