Big Rig Spills Fertilizer After Crash Along Highway 4 in Stockton
A crash between a big rig and a sedan left vehicle occupants without serious injuries but required a hazmat crew to deal with the damage.
The incident took place at around 12:30 in the afternoon yesterday in the city of Stockton. A big rig carrying two trailers filled with thousands of gallons of liquid fertilizer was traveling east along Highway 4, as was a Chevy Malibu sedan. When the two vehicles reached the area near Wilson Way, the truck driver was allegedly cut off by a white sedan, apparently not the same aforementioned sedan which would suffer damage in the crash.
The semi changed lanes, at which point the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle. The big rig crashed into the Malibu, which sustained heavy damage to its lefthand side and was thrust 60 feet further down the road. The semi overturned and began to leak liquid fertilizer. Over 3,000 gallons eventually poured out of the truck.
Neither the semi’s driver nor the occupants of the Malibu sustained serious injuries. A hazardous materials crew was brought in to patch up the truck and prevent another couple thousand gallons from leaking. They were also able to stop the fertilizer from entering a nearby sewer. The ecosystem of the area was reportedly saved.
Officials had to reroute traffic, causing gridlock for hours. The eastbound side of the freeway was partially opened after 6 pm, with the route becoming completely freed up later that night.
