18 Wheeler Overturns, Gas Spill in Lee County

LEE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) — A late afternoon wreck involving an 18 wheeler hauling gas has shut down part of Birmingham Ridge Rd. in Lee County. It was around 3:15 p.m when Lee County Sheriff Jim Johnson says a semi truck traveling west on Birmingham Ridge Rd. flipped over on the rain slick road.

The truck was loaded with gasoline, and some fuel was spilled when it turned over. Sheriff Johnson says the leak has been contained and a Hazmat crew is on the scene. Also, two homes near the scene had to be evacuated, and Birmingham Ridge Rd. has been closed between Hwy. 145 and Beech Springs Rd.

“There’s a lot of federal guidelines we have to go by , especially when it’s not only a flammable liquid but a liquid that can contaminate the soil we’re hauling , supervisors are hauling dirt in to get all of that done we have a command trailer coming cause we are going to be here a while,” says Sheriff Johnson.

The truck’s driver was not injured. Sheriff Johnson says the plan is unload the remaining fuel on the tanker but they will not be done until Tuesday morning. He says Birmingham Ridge road will remain closed until further notice.