NITRO, W.Va. — An early morning accident on I-64 west bound left two injured and a major mess for emergency crews in Kanawha County.
A tractor-trailer hauling three massive transformers went out of control on the exit ramp at Nitro. The semi crashed through two guardrails and lost its load in the entrance ramp. The accident happened about 1:30 a.m.
The driver and a passenger were hospitalized with injuries. One of the victims was reportedly ejected during the crash.
The truck’s diesel tanks ruptured spilling fuel onto the ground. The transformers are packed with mineral oil and authorities on scene say a large amount of it leaked as well. The ramps, along with Route 25 at the foot of the ramp, were closed for more than five hours.
The state Department of Environmental Protection is on the scene evaluating the spill and directing cleanup.