Tanker Crash on Highway 199 Sends Asphalt Emulsion Into Smith River, Driver Suffers Major Injuries

An overturned tanker truck lies on its side along U.S. Highway 199 near the Collier Tunnel area after an early morning crash Thursday. Authorities say the tanker released an unknown amount of asphalt emulsion onto the roadway and into the Smith River, while the driver was transported to the hospital with major injuries. [Photo courtesy of CHP]

According to CHP traffic incident logs, the crash was first reported at approximately 3:45 a.m. as a rollover collision near the Collier Tunnel area.

Emergency responders arriving on scene found the tanker overturned on its side. By 4:29 a.m., CHP logs described the tanker as fully ruptured and leaking. Fire crews worked to extricate the driver from the wreckage, and scanner traffic later indicated the truck and trailer had come to rest against a rock wall.

A spill report submitted to the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) states that the tanker was involved in a solo-vehicle crash and released an unknown amount of liquid Asphalt Emulsiononto the roadway and into the Smith River.

The report says the driver was transported to a hospital with major injuries.

According to Cal OES, the release on the roadway had been stopped and contained, but the material that entered the Smith River had not been contained as of the report’s filing. The truck’s tank capacity was unknown.

CHP logs indicate that by shortly after 6 a.m., responders were still attempting to determine where the tank had ruptured and how much product remained inside. The tanker and trailer remained attached and on their side against a rock wall.

Multiple agencies responded including CHP, Caltrans, Gasquet Fire, environmental officials, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Del Norte County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police, and the Oregon Department of Transportation.

Highway 199 was initially closed in both directions while crews worked to rescue the driver, assess the spill, and begin cleanup operations. By approximately 6:15 a.m., authorities began transitioning to one-way traffic control through the area.

The Cal OES report states that Caltrans was on scene and CHP was coordinating cleanup efforts.

The extent of any environmental impacts to the Smith River was not immediately known Thursday morning.

The CHP incident was closed shortly after 7:30 a.m., though cleanup and environmental assessment efforts are expected to continue.