A six-vehicle crash that involved a total of five passenger vehicles and possibly two big rigs on the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway in Phoenix earlier this month caused a spill of hazardous materials on the roadway and left several people injured.
AZ Central reported that the accident happened on the afternoon of Tuesday, February 4th, when the driver of a commercial big rig attempted to brake and evasively steer his rig to the left to avoid hitting other vehicles in the congested traffic.
Arizona Department of Public Safety spokesperson, Raul Garcia said that the truck was unable to stop in time and struck five other vehicles.
Captain Rob McDade with the Phoenix Fire Department told reporters in a statement that eight people were injured in the accident. Four were taken to an area hospital for treatment of injuries they suffered in the crash.
Among those who suffered serious injuries in the crash were a 44-year-old woman, a 29-year old person, and a two-year-old male toddler. A 21-year-old woman who also suffered minor injuries was taken to the hospital, and then later released.
Four others who were injured were treated at the scene of the accident by paramedics.
One of the saddle tanks on the truck was ruptured and approximately 20 to 30 gallons of diesel fuel were spilled on the roadway.
Authorities later reported that a second commercial truck that was transporting both oxygen and acetylene tanks was involved. According to McDade, the tanks were damaged but were not leaking.
A hazmat crew was dispatched to the scene for cleanup, and the roadway was reopened several hours later.
The accident is still currently under investigation.
