SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, April 25, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — Police say a semitrailer that crashed Thursday in Parleys Canyon spilled about 150 gallons of diesel fuel, some of which ended up in Parleys Creek.
The semi was traveling eastbound on Interstate 80 near Mountain Dell Reservoir when it lost control on the wet roads, Utah Highway Patrol Sgt. Cameron Roden said.
The semi jackknifed and hit the concrete barriers on the left side, displacing four of them — including two that blocked the left two lanes of eastbound I-80, Roden said.
The semi’s fuel tanks were ruptured in the crash, spilling about 150 gallons of diesel fuel, he said.
Hazmat crews are working to pump the remainder of the fuel so it doesn’t spill when they move the truck, Roden said.
The environmental cleanup is expected to take the rest of the day, he said.
Salt Lake City fire officials confirmed that some of the fuel spilled into Parleys Creek. Crews are working at Tanner Park and Sugar House Park to mitigate the spill.
The Salt Lake County Health Department and the Utah Division of Water Quality have taken water samples in the potentially affected areas. Health officials say people and pets should stay out of the waterways until sampling results are available, which could take up to to a week.
Parleys Creek flows through Parleys Historic Nature Park, Sugar House Park and Hidden Hollow Park. Crews have placed absorbent booms in the waterways to collect as much fuel as possible.
The accident occurred below Parleys Water Treatment Plant, and Salt Lake City officials confirmed that drinking water quality is not impacted.
No impacts to fish or ducks in the waterways have been observed, but the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources will monitor wildlife in the area and respond to reports of injured or deceased wildlife.
Signs have been played at Parleys Historic Nature Park and Sugar House Park alerting visitors to avoid the waterways until further notice.
The quantity of fuel in the creek is unknown, according to the health department.
Fuel sheen was present on the water at Tanner Park and Sugar House Park, and fuel odors were noticeable at Hidden Hollow Park and near 900 East, health officials said.
Rain is expected to clear any remaining fuel not absorbed by booms at the recreational areas.
The left two lanes of eastbound I-80 have reopened, Roden said.
No other vehicles were involved, and the driver was not injured, he said.
