Truck Accident Causes Chemical Spill, Road Closures

Christina Cole

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Hazmat crews worked into the evening to clear the scene of a rollover truck accident involving dangerous chemicals. The truck flipped over on the ramp from Route 29 to southbound Route 6 in Peoria County.

The accident caused the truck, which was carrying 80,000 lbs. of anhydrous ammonia to leak. Speed was a factor in the accident, said police. The driver was taken to the hospital and treated for minor injuries.

Crews worked to stabilize the container that was carrying the anhydrous ammonia. They planned to bring I a new container to transport the hazardous gas from the scene once the container was stable. Police and Fire Department blocked off all roads leading to the site but say because of the location it didn't pose a big threat to the public.

"If it was a bigger leak and it was more of a community setting, community area, it could be a lot worse because if you breath anhydrous in it will go straight to your lungs and freeze up your lungs and could cause death," said Illinois State Police trooper Tony Halsey.

In addition to the scene of the roll over, police say they have responded to multiple accidents that were a result of the extra traffic from the truck roll over.