Trucking news and briefs for Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023:
In NTSB
The crash resulted in five fatalities and multiple injuries, ISP said. According to local news reports, the five victims died from exposure to the ammonia. Residents in the area of the crash were also evacuated. According to NTSB board member Tom Chapman, it’s believed about half of the tanker’s load leaked out as a result of the crash.
In an Oct. 1 press briefing, Chapman said the truck was traveling westbound on U.S. 40 when another vehicle, possibly involved in a passing maneuver near the truck, caused the truck to swerve to the right. The truck then departed the roadway and rolled over.
The truck jackknifed, exposing the head end of the tanker, which collided with the tow hitch of a small utility trailer legally parked off the side of the road. This left about a 6-inch hole in the tank, resulting in the anhydrous ammonia being released.
The full details surrounding the crash are still under investigation. NTSB expects to have a preliminary report prepared in the next 30 days.
Chapman said NTSB is interested in issues related to cargo tank's crash-worthiness, hazmat routing, and the operations of the motor carrier involved -- Prairieland Transport, out of Brownstown, Illinois.
