Driver unhurt when gas tanker overturns on I-985, clean-up takes more than 9 hours

The driver of a gasoline tanker was not injured when his vehicle overturned on I-985 northbound near Friendship Road Thursday night, but clean-up of the accident took more than nine hours.

In an interview on Friday morning, Division Chief Zachary Brackett with Hall County Fire Services said his crews received a call at 5:59 p.m. about the incident. 

"The driver refused any care from us and had no injuries," Brackett said. "After that, we were there from hazard mitigation and fire suppression standpoint, so control the leak and make sure it doesn't get any worse and then also make sure nothing catches on fire."

Brackett said less than 30 gallons of fuel actually leaked from the tanker, but the fumes from the vehicle were a concern, so northbound I-985 was closed to traffic and remained closed until after 3:30 a.m. 

Brackett said law enforcement, Georgia DOT officials and state environmental officials were on the scene throughout the incident. 

The Georgia State Patrol is investigating to determine how the crash occurred. 

Original story 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5:

A 9,000-gallon gas tanker has overturned on I-985 Northbound near mile marker 9 and has leaked a total of 20 gallons of gas onto the roadway.

Multiple agencies are on scene now working to clear the spill and direct traffic.

According to Hall County Fire Captain PIO Zachary Brackett, all leaks have been contained at the time and the Georgia EPD and US EPA have been called to assist in the cleanup process.

"Hall County Fire Services is on the scene of a gas tanker that is overturned on I-985 NB at mile marker 9," he said. "All leaks have been controlled for the time being. Georgia EPD has been notified."

The driver is uninjured and no other injuries have been reported but it is unknown what caused the accident.

Both northbound lanes of I-985 will continue to be shut down while crews work to right the truck and mitigate the incident. Northbound traffic is being diverted off I-985 NB at Exit 8 – Friendship Road.

According to Brackett, crews are currently working to offload the gasoline out of the tanker.

"The gasoline will be offloaded onto another trailer prior to this vehicle being moved by towing/recovery companies on the scene," he said. "It will be several hours before all of this is accomplished and traffic impacts will continue until the scene is rendered safe by responders on the scene."