Clearwater Police, Clearwater Fire & Rescue along with countywide assists from both Pinellas and Hillsborough County are on scene of a crash that has turned into a hazardous materials incident.
According to Clearwater Police, a single vehicle crash occurred just before 8:30 this evening in the southbound access lanes of the 20000 block of U.S. 19; that’s in front of Congo River Golf.
A tanker carrying 8,500 gallons of gasoline overturned and is leaking. Hazardous materials crews are on scene trying to contain and mitigate the spill.
A foam truck was responding to the scene from Tampa International Airport.
There patient was evaluated at the scene a second patient was transported to the hospital with minor injuries.
The southbound access road south of Gulf-to Bay Boulevard was closed until approximately 6:30 a.m.
The truck was owned by CWC Transport. The driver, 47 year-old Gary Bienek Jr. was cited for careless driving. Investigators say he was completing a legal U-turn under U.S. 19 at Seville Boulevard when part of his vehicle struck a portion of the retaining wall on the
underpass and overturned.
It is estimated that up to 55 gallons of fuel may have entered the storm drain.