Commuters in Douglas County faced significant delays on Thursday during rush hour when a tractor-trailer crash led to a major chemical spill on Interstate 20, as reported by FOX 5 Atlanta. The incident, which caused both directions of the busy interstate to be closed for several hours, occurred between Chapel Hill Road and Highway 5. Although initial concerns suggested possible health and environmental risks, later findings by fire crews confirmed the spill was non-hazardous.

According to a statement obtained by 11Alive, Douglas County Fire Department responded to the scene after the crash, discovering a liquid leaking from the truck that was initially cause for alarm. The closure lasted from the busy afternoon hours into the evening, reopening around 9 p.m., which challenged drivers as they navigated through the slow-moving traffic. Even though the chemical was deemed non-toxic, partially due to the spill, streets remained congested well into the night.

The specific cause of the crash is still under investigation, with no immediate information on whether any injuries occurred. To aid locals affected by the spill and consequent traffic jams, 11Alive's traffic expert, Crash Clark, suggested Highway 78/Veterans Memorial Highway as an alternate route. He provided a visual map to assist drivers looking to avoid the affected section of I-20.

As a measure of safety, preemptive evacuations were prompted by authorities, leading to the clearing of West Pines Golf Course. "West Pines Golf Club confirmed with 11Alive's Cody Alcorn that they are having to close down and clear the course due to the spill," according to the 11Alive report. Details surrounding what exactly the tanker was transporting and the extent of the leak were not disclosed by the authorities.