EPA: Efforts to clean up spillage after turnpike crash ongoing

AUSTINTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – Crews are still working to clean up a spill from a crash on the Ohio Turnpike in Austintown on Wednesday morning.

After a tanker truck hauling a load of tack coat collided with another vehicle and crashed through a guardrail, it began leaking the petroleum-based material into a creek that flows into the Meander Reservoir.

The Ohio EPA was called to the scene and tried to begin cleaning up the spillage. However, because of heavy rains Wednesday afternoon, efforts to contain the material to the creek were washed away, according to the Ohio EPA.

The tack coat material floats on water and some natural features helped slow down its movement.

Emergency responders were eventually able to reestablish containment of the spill, but the EPA said efforts to remove the material are ongoing.

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