Tanker Transporting Butane Crashes and Rolls into Deer Creek Reservoir
May 28, 2019, 6:29 PM | Updated: 6:30 pm
WASATCH COUNTY, Utah — It was a close call at Deer Creek Reservoir, where a semi hauling butane lost control and crashed into the water. The cleanup is still going on Tuesday evening, forcing the highway to be completely shut down between the Wallsburg and Charleston turnoffs.
The crash happened about a half mile west of the Charleston turnoff just before noon and crews are still working to get the tanker, which was transporting butane, out of the water.
“There is a pullout, it looks like the truck went out through and then the first pup went over and the other truck went over in the water, right off the shore,” said Janet Carson, with the Wasatch County Fire Department.
This is why the highway is closed as of 6pm between the Wallsburg and Charleston turnoffs. Watch the latest on @KSL5TV at 6pm. https://t.co/q1YBEb77tY
— Sam Penrod (@KSLsampenrod) May 29, 2019
The truck plowed through the guardrail before reaching the water.
However, water managers of Deer Creek believe that the butane will not be a serious threat to the water supply—the biggest concern is if the diesel in the semi begins to leak. Absorbable booms are in place as a precaution.
“These types of events are regrettable and we don’t like to see them happen, but in this case, this is not a serious threat to the water or water quality,” said Steve Cain, with the Provo River Water Users Association.
Emergency crews are still working to clean up a semi hauling butane that crashed into Deer Creek Reservoir. The @UTHighwayPatrol says the driver was going too fast. The good news is that the water is not in any serious danger if the tanker leaks. The highway is open as of 2 PM. pic.twitter.com/43OT8jBHX3
— Sam Penrod (@KSLsampenrod) May 28, 2019
The highway patrol said the driver was going too fast around the curve.
While the driver was able to walk away from the crash, investigators say it is very fortunate that no one was in the path of the truck when it crashed into the reservoir.
“What is really scary is typically there are people there fishing, but today there was no one who was fishing,” Carson added.
Once crews get the tanker out of the water, tests will continue over the next couple of days to ensure the water has not been contaminated.
