SC Highway Patrol gives new updates on Aiken Co. tanker crash sending one to hospital
It happened Tuesday on I-20 off Exit 22, near the McDonalds and Waffle House on Highway 1.
While South Carolina Highway Patrol is investigating, the Aiken County Sheriff's Office is urging the public to heed the warnings they have in place.
The Aiken County Sheriff's Office was one of several agencies on the scene for a type of crash law enforcement says rarely occurs.
'I go back to when we had the train derailment that happened years and years ago. But this is not something common that we see on a weekly basis,' said Major Jason Griffin.
According to Highway Patrol, the 2024 Freightliner was heading eastbound on I-20 when it ran off the left side of the road near Exit 22, then crashed between the two bridges running along the Highway 1 interchange.
Aiken County EMA, Aiken County Hazmat, SC Highway Patrol, SCDOT and others then came to support the Sheriff's Office.
'Law enforcement will typically arrive at these scenes first. Sometimes the fire department can get there first. But once you identify not only that you have a traffic collision—but then maybe there's hazardous materials involved as well—the resources just start to branch out from there,' Griffin said.
The hazardous material in the truck was identified as methyl acetate, a highly flammable substance used in lacquers and paint thinner and to make pharmaceuticals, but the spill did not cause any harm.
While Highway Patrol is investigating, The Sheriff's Office has detours on Highway 1 at East Frontage Road and Fulmer Road, and are urging the public to heed the warnings.
'When you get to these detours, again just be patient. We'll get you where you need to go methodically and as safe as possible to try to get the problem mitigated. Safety is obviously the most important thing for everybody out there on the roads,' said Griffin.
South Carolina Highway Patrol is still investigating exactly what caused that truck to veer off I-20.
Meanwhile the driver was taken to the hospital, but there are no updates on her conditions or injuries.
She is also not facing any charges at this time.
Count on NewsChannel 6 to bring you the latest as soon as it becomes available.
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