Tractor-trailer accident in I-64 construction zone causes traffic congestion

UPDATE 3/6/23 @ 10 p.m.

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - The Interstate 64 Merritts Creek on-ramp reopened around 9 p.m. Monday, according to Cabell County 911 dispatch.

The on-ramp remained closed much of the day following a tractor-trailer rollover accident that resulted in a diesel spill.

Crews at the scene say the 18-wheeler was traveling east on I-64 when it went off the road, through a guardrail and rolled down an embankment, crashing onto the Merritts Creek on-ramp. They say the driver suffered minor injuries.

Emergency crews reopened all eastbound lanes near mile-marker 18 around 3:30 p.m.

Barboursville Volunteer Fire Chief Andrew Frazier tells WSAZ.com the accident report came in about 5:50 Monday morning.

When crews arrived on scene, diesel fuel was leaking from the 18-wheeler, the chief confirms. More than 100 gallons of diesel fuel spilled, Frazier said.

The on-ramp and interstate within a 150-foot radius was blocked off after the crew became aware of a 55-gallon drum of methanol on the truck; however, crews say there are no signs it was compromised in the crash.

“The WVDEP has Environmental Enforcement staff on site. The truck was hauling mostly motor oil, which spilled, but a majority was contained to the truck,” said West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection Chief Communications Officer Terry Fletcher. “No environmental impacts have been observed and a contractor is on scene to clean up the area.”

According to the chief, firefighters monitored the air surrounding the crash site and don’t believe a leak occurred.

At around 9:30 a.m., traffic was reportedly backed up for approximately four miles.

“When these things happen and the interstate gets affected or even Route 60, the traffic congestion is unbelievable,” Chief Frazier said. “We understand that. We do our very best to speed up whatever we can to get traffic moving as fast as we can.”

Cabell County 911 estimates since Jan. 1 of this year, there’ve been 33 crashes in that construction zone. That averages out to an accident there every other day.

A written statement from West Virginia Transportation Secretary Jimmy Wriston says, “The bottom line is drivers need to obey all posted signs, slow down and avoid distracted driving to keep West Virginians safe. People need to get behind the wheel and be responsible. You’re literally taking peoples lives in your hands.”

Keep checking the WSAZ app for the latest information.

ORIGINAL STORY

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - The eastbound lanes of I-64 were shut down on Monday morning following a rollover crash involving a tractor-trailer.

The crash happened just before 6 a.m. near mile marker 18 in Cabell County on the Merritt’s Creek exit ramp.

The tractor-trailer went over an embankment, spilling fuel.

Crews say the on ramp will be shut down until approximately 4 p.m.

At around 9:30 a.m., traffic was reportedly backed up for approximately four miles.

Drivers should expect delays as crews work to clean up the fuel leak and determine if the barrels of fuel on the tractor trailer have been compromised.

No injuries have been reported so far.

This is a developing story.

Keep checking the WSAZ app for the latest information.

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