Fertilizer and fuel were dangerous mix in I-82 semi crash near Benton City
An Interstate 82 exit was closed for hours Saturday after a potentially explosive crash near Benton City.
A semi truck carrying a load of fertilizer wrecked in a roundabout while exiting the interstate near Benton City just before 10:45 a.m. The crash punctured the fertilizer tank and the diesel fuel tank, said Trooper Chris Thorson, with the Washington State Patrol.
A small amount of both of the fluids spilled out, said Benton County Fire District 2 officials.
The roundabout and the Benton City exit were closed until just before 4 p.m.
Department of Ecology officials and a Washington State Patrol bomb technician are on the scene.
Emergency crews created a safe zone perimeter around the crash between a quarter and half mile away.
Investigators are not sure what caused the big-rig truck driver to lose control. The driver, Oziel Lopez, 51, of Pasco, was treated for minor injuries at a local hospital.
This story was originally published May 23, 2020 at 3:02 PM.