180 gallons of diesel fuel leaks into Parley’s Creek after semi-truck crash

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — A semi-truck crash along I-80 in Parley’s Canyon has led to an estimated 180 gallons of diesel being leaked into Parley’s Canyon and into Tanner’s Park and Sugar House Park.

Salt Lake City Fire Department Captain Brandt Hancuff said the truck jack-knifed up Parley’s Canyon about 4 a.m. this morning. The crash damaged the truck leading it to spill hundreds of gallons of fuel into a nearby storm drain.

The fire department was alerted to the spill when someone at Tanner’s Park smelled the fuel and saw the sheen it gave on the water. Crews later noticed the fuel had made it as far as Sugar House Park.

‘This is going to be an incredible ride’: NHL impressed with Utah

Hazmat officials placed absorbent boons into the water that will help absorb the fuel and clean the water.

“We are confident that we will be able to mitigate [the dangers at Sugar House Park] and prevent the fuel from going any further downstream,” said Hancuff.

Hancuff stressed there is no danger to the drinking water in Salt Lake County. The spill occurred below the Parley’s Canyon water treatment plant – which he said was not operational at the moment anyway – so there is no danger to drinking water. Hancuff did warn people to stay out of the water and keep pets away as well for the foreseeable future. Results on water testing may not be available for another week, according to a press release by the Salt Lake County Health Department.

Hancuff explained that diesel fuel could be harmful if ingested and could also irritate the skin or fur of humans and pets who make contact with it.

Hazmat crews said the cleanup could take the next several hours. Hancuff said the fire department was working with different agencies across the valley to help mitigate the damage to the water, surrounding wildlife, and Salt Lake County residents.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.