Overturned semi on I-69 hauling ‘dangerous goods’

Jake May | MLive.com

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(UPDATE: I-69 reopened following overturned semi crash)

UPDATE: This story has been updated at 1:30 p.m. to reflect new information that the drums containing the hazardous material were not compromised during the crash.

LAPEER TWP., MI — An overturned semi truck that shut down I-69 in both directions Saturday morning has been identified as hauling “dangerous goods,” according to the city of Lapeer Fire and Rescue Department.

The truck overturned on westbound I-69 around 4:54 a.m. Saturday, March 18, between M-24 and Lake Nepessing Road.

When Lapeer County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived on the scene of the crash, they “quickly realized that the semitruck was hauling dangerous goods and requested additional support,” the fire department stated.

Related: Overturned semi closes I-69 in both directions

The fire department stated “due to the volatility of products” in the semi trailer, both eastbound and westbound I-69 remain closed as of 10 a.m. Saturday. The goods were being transported by Ontario-based hauler AirTime Express.

The Michigan Department of Transportation and Lapeer County Road Commission are detouring traffic in both directions.

According to the Lapeer Fire and Rescue Department, firefighters established a safe area and contained leaking fluids from the engine compartment of the semi. The Michigan Spill Response determined fluids near the rear of the overturned semi trailer are water.

The semi truck was carrying a mixed load of dangerous goods, USPS packaged and other products.

The fire department said there is no danger to the public and the quantity of the hazardous material is low. Firefighters believe the hazardous material to be methoxy-propanol, which is a solvent used in a variety of manufacturing industries and in paint and varnishes. The material is flammable. The solvent was stored in 15 55-gallon drums on the truck, which were not compromised during the crash.

The road closure remains in effect until the contents of the semi have been offloaded and the truck is righted. There were no injuries in the crash and the exact cause of the crash have yet to be determined.

Along with the Lapeer Fire and Rescue Department, the Lapeer County Sheriff’s Office, the Lapeer County Office of Emergency Management, Michigan State Police, MDOT, the Lapeer County Road Commission and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy is responding to the incident. Mitigation and recovery efforts are being handled by Byers Wrecker Service.

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