The intersection of Hamilton Mill Road and Braselton Highway in Dacula remains closed following a tanker truck accident.
A 9-1-1 caller reported seeing the truck turn over onto its right side as it was attempting to make a turn at the intersection at 5:26 a.m., according to a press release from Gwinnett Fire & Emergency Services. The driver of the truck was able to exit the vehicle on their own and did not report any injuries.
Upon their arrival, firefighters discovered that the tanker was carrying more than 8,500 gallons of fuel and upgraded the accident to a hazmat incident once they discovered that fuel from the tanker was leaking into the storm drain. At this point, officers with the Gwinnett County Police Department shut down the intersection and a hot zone of 500 feet was established following the arrival of the hazmat team.
Firefighters also evacuated several business in the area: the Discovery Point Daycare, QuikTrip and BP gas station as a precautionary measure. Hazmat team members have determined that residents have never been in danger throughout the day.
A damage assessment of the tanker revealed two areas where fuel was leaking. One was at the dome on the top of the tanker and the second was at the very back. Authorities estimate that approximately 3,000 gallons of fuel entered the storm drain before it could be stopped; the fuel was ultimately contained at a nearby pond at the Hamilton Mill Golf Club.
The Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources worked with a cleanup crew and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to remove the fuel from the pond and storm drain. The Gwinnett Department of Transportation was resposnsible for finding ways to clean the roadway.
As of this report, officials have created a plan to transfer the remaining fuel to another truck. The overturned truck remains on its right side, although a towing service has been called to help with uprighting it.
Updates about the incident will be posted on the department's social media pages.
