A U-Haul box trailer hauling product left a trail of coconut oil across County Road 32A and County Road 105 near the Interstate 80 ramp east of Davis yesterday, turning pavement and nearby railroad tracks into a slick mess and drawing a major cleanup response. The spill led to full closures of both county roads and a temporary shutdown of the rail line while crews tackled the contamination. A separate driver exiting I-80 lost control on the greasy roadway, but authorities said no one was hurt. Officials urged drivers to steer clear as the cleanup stretched into the evening.
How the spill happened
The incident was reported around 11:45 a.m. after the driver exited I-80 at County Road 32A while heading to the Yolo County Landfill, according to CBS Sacramento. The outlet reported that the driver continued north on County Road 105 before realizing the U-Haul box trailer was leaking oil onto the roadway and over the nearby rail crossing. County officials told CBS they believe the product is coconut oil and said the person responsible was speaking with authorities.
Road and rail closures
Yolo County shut down County Road 32A from Mace Boulevard to the I-80 ramp and closed County Road 105 between County Road 32A and County Road 30 while crews worked the scene, KCRA reported. According to the station, the spill reached just north of the railroad crossing on County Road 105, forcing a temporary halt to rail traffic so responders could clear oil from the tracks and crossing. The California Highway Patrol told KCRA that the slick surface contributed to a single-vehicle crash, though no injuries were reported.
Cleanup and response
County and emergency crews remained on scene removing oil from the roadway and the rails, and officials said the cleanup would likely keep the roads closed through Friday evening, according to CBS Sacramento. Responders laid down absorbent material and worked the corridor to make it safe for vehicles and trains. CBS also reported that the person who spilled the oil was cooperating with investigators at the scene.
Local context
County Road 32A and County Road 105 sit just east of Davis and are frequently used as a backdoor route around the Yolo Causeway, which can make any closure here a real headache for commuters, as KCRA has noted in earlier coverage. With cleanup expected to last into the evening, drivers traveling between Davis and Sacramento are being advised to allow extra time and follow posted detours. Officials continue to urge motorists to avoid the area until the roads are officially reopened.
