Colorado State Patrol: Carrier involved in rollover tanker spill near Lyons identified, driver cited

Kelsey Hammon, Daily Times-Call, Longmont, Colo.
·3 min read

May 7—A Colorado State Patrol report identified the carrier involved in the semi tanker rollover crash that occurred on April 27, spilling gasoline into the North St. Vrain Creek. State patrol officials also said that the driver involved has been cited for careless driving.

The accident report says that the carrier involved was MTY Trucking LLC, a Brighton-based company. The report does not state for whom the trucking company was carrying fuel. Colorado State Patrol Records Technician Teresa Schmidt noted that the crash is still under investigation and that the complete report wasn't yet available.

MTY Trucking LLC could not be reached for comment by publication deadline Thursday.

The report says that a 26-year-old Greeley man was driving a semi tanker and traveling westbound on U.S. 36 just after noon. The vehicle rolled while the driver was rounding a curve just northwest of Lyons and close to the north intersection of Apple Valley Road. The semi tanker left the right side of the highway "rolling 3/4 times" and came to a rest off the right side of westbound U.S. 36.

The report states that weather conditions were rainy and that the driver was estimated to be traveling 45 mph. The posted speed limit was 50 mph. Colorado State Patrol Master Trooper Gary Cutler said that the driver was traveling too fast for the load he was hauling, despite the fact that he was traveling under the speed limit. The Environmental Protection Agency, which has been assisting in the spill cleanup, reported the semi tanker had been carrying roughly 8,500 gallons of gas.

Cutler said that the driver was charged Wednesday on suspicion of careless driving, a misdemeanor traffic offense. It is the Times-Call's practice not to name people charged with misdemeanors. The Times-Call did reach out to the driver to ask if they wished to comment, but they declined.

The report states that the driver: "was going too fast to safely negotiate the curve."

Cutler said drugs and alcohol were not factors in the crash. The driver sustained minor injuries in the crash and was taken to a hospital.

The EPA reported last week that the tanker spill leaked roughly 1,000 to 1,600 gallons of gasoline. An undetermined amount of fuel leaked into the North St. Vrain Creek, causing significant fish kill. Colorado Parks and Wildlife has been assessing the aftermath of the spill on aquatic species and wildlife. Aquatic invertebrates were also among the wildlife impacted, according to Jason Clay, Colorado Parks and Wildlife spokesperson.

The EPA on Thursday issued a news release saying that work at the crash site has transitioned from the "emergency phase to the project phase." Officials said that tno road closures are expected over the weekend.

The release said that contractors had completed the excavation of contaminated soils, with the soil being taken off site for disposal. The process to back fill areas where contaminated soil had been removed had also taken place. EPA officials said they expect this work to continue through next week.

The release said that the "EPA understands some residents along the river continue to voice concerns about their drinking water wells." EPA officials reiterated that the "potential for groundwater impact is low and there is no indication that there has been, or will be, any impact to water wells along the creek."

The release said that the insurance company for the carrier identified in the accident report is working directly with the residents who would like to have their wells tested.

People who have information to share regarding dead fish or who have questions or concerns about conditions of the North St. Vrain Creek are asked to reach out to Colorado Parks and Wildlife at LyonsFishInfo@state.co.us. For EPA updates, people can visit bit.ly/3b4l2sE.