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250 dead fish in tributary linked to massive gasoline spill from tanker truck crash

By Dave Faherty, wsoctv.com and Stephanie Tinoco
By Dave Faherty, wsoctv.com and Stephanie Tinoco

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The effects of Wednesday’s tanker truck crash are still being felt.

The tanker flipped at the intersection of I-485 and Mount Holly Road, spilling thousands of gallons of gasoline into a waterway.

[PHOTOS: Tanker truck flips, spills fluid across Mount Holly Road]

Experts told reporter Stephanie Tinoco the impact to the environment could be massive.

Officials said about 250 dead fish were found in a tributary to Long Creek after an estimated 7,500 gallons of gasoline were deposited into the water.

"Two hundred fifty fish is what they saw,” said Catawba Riverkeeper Sam Perkins. “For 7,500 gallons of gasoline, you're going to kill a lot. The important thing that as much as it can gets soaked up as possible."

“I feel bad that it happened and so many fish died as a result of it,” said Angela Headen, who lives nearby.

Officials said the majority of the gasoline has been removed from the area by environmental cleanup contractors.

Hazmat teams responded to the scene and said the tanker was carrying 9,000 gallons of gasoline when it crashed.

A slight smell of gasoline is still lingering, and there are still marks on the road from the crash’s aftermath.

"It's sad that it happened, really sad,” said Cindy Smith, who lives nearby.

Chopper 9 Skyzoom flew over the wreck, and fluids could be seen flowing from the 18-wheeler, which was on its side.

"It is affecting environmental areas such as storm drains and the ground itself. So right now, hazmat teams are on scene along with the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)," Charlotte Fire Capt. Jackie Gilmore said.

Mount Holly Road near the interstate and the ramp to NC-27 remained closed for nearly seven hours while crews worked to clear the area.

"It looked like a lot,” Smith said. “I mean, they had the roads all shut down -- police, fire truck, ambulances."

People who worked in the area nearby were surprised by the overturned tanker, but not at the location of the crash.

"It seems like there's a wreck here once a month. My daughter has had two accidents here on both sides of 485," worker T.R. Young said.

Officials are warning people who live nearby to be alert about what they see or smell and to avoid the stream for the next few days as agencies continue to monitor the water quality.

"Long Creek is a creek that has a long history of really bad impact in terms of water quality, so that’s something that’s not great for a creek that's already stressed,” Perkins said. “If you notice a sheen and smell something, you want to make a note of it, contact 311 and stay away of it, definitely."

Officials said the driver of the tanker was not seriously hurt.

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