This morning, Southbound Route 28 in Sharpsburg reopened after a nearly 10-hour closure caused by a tanker truck accident that spilled thousands of gallons of diesel fuel. According to WPXI, Allegheny County Emergency Services Chief Matt Brown said the crash occurred around 5:15 p.m. near Exit 5 to Etna, and the driver sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
The tanker, which has a capacity of 7,500 gallons, suffered damage that caused the release of between 2,200 and 2,500 gallons of diesel cargo. WTAE reported that officials were working to stop the spill from reaching the Allegheny River while boom operations were conducted around Pine Creek to contain and remove the diesel.
Etna Fire Chief Greg Porter described the scene to WPXI, explaining that the diesel fuel was on fire on the roadway when they arrived, although the truck did not catch fire. Crews worked through the night, successfully reopening the affected portion of the highway around 3 a.m., easing congestion and restoring a key transportation corridor.
The current status of the environmental impact, particularly about Pine Creek, remains under close examination. Crews are actively containing the spill to prevent further contamination. As for the precise amount of diesel that entered the creek, it's not known, but efforts are ongoing to mitigate the spill's effects. Greg Porter stated, as per WPXI, that "all of the diesel within the damaged part of the truck leaked out onto Route 28 or into Pine Creek".
The incident caused some disruption and could have been dangerous, but quick action by first responders and clean-up crews prevented worse outcomes. The investigation into the cause of the crash is still underway, and the community is waiting for more updates on the environmental impact of the diesel spill.
