Hazmat Crews Respond After Tanker Trailer Crashes Into SLC Yard

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A tanker carrying asphalt sealant is at the center of a huge cleanup effort at a home in Salt Lake City after the trailer rolled from a parking lot at University of Utah and into the property’s back yard.

The crash happened at approximately 3:20 a.m. in the area of 100 North and Wolcott Street, according to the Salt Lake City Fire Department.

A big mess on Wolcott St. Fire crews say an asphalt oil tanker rolled from an East parking lot across N. Campus drive @UUtah into the back yard of this home. No injuries. But you can say the oil that spilled from the backyard into the driveway. #ksltv pic.twitter.com/SClK9IXC8P

— Matt Rascon (@MattRasconNews) July 8, 2020

The trailer rolled hundreds of yards and plowed through a concrete wall before coming to rest on private property in Federal Heights. The tanker stopped just short of hitting the house, but the sealant it was carrying still managed to leak out.

The oily substance could be seen seeping into the garage and driveway of the home, and it eventually made its way through the yard and into a storm drain.

However, city officials said stormwater crews were able to prevent the substance from reaching the Jordan River.

Our stormwater team? #Winning. They kept oily asphalt sealant from a tanker crash into a U. of U. area home from reaching the Jordan River. Caughtspill @ 600 S/300 W, put absorbent booms at storm drains all the way to the river. @lbriefer @slcgreen @slcmayor @slcCouncil @UtahDEQ pic.twitter.com/h9vlDFyhxq

— SLC Department of Public Utilities (@SLCPU) July 8, 2020

Authorities at the scene said residents in the area may notice the smell of the sealant as cleanup efforts are underway.

According to the asphalt company that owns the trailer, the tanker had been parked at the U of U parking lot at 2:20 p.m. Tuesday, and the brakes had been locked. However, approximately 12 hours later, something caused the tanker to begin rolling.

Neighbors said the incident shook them out of bed, and one resident said he thought it was an earthquake. The owners of the affected property were not home at the time.

No injuries were reported, and the incident is under investigation.

SLC Hazmat crews are on scene of an asphalt oil tanker spill 66 North Wolcott St. The tanker rolled from an East parking lot across N. Campus drive into the back yard of address. No injuries to report. Approx 3:20 A.M. pic.twitter.com/1xyGZAVHmC

— Salt Lake City Fire Department (@slcfire) July 8, 2020