Arizona issues shelter-in-place, evacuation orders after chemical tanker spills on highway

A portion of Interstate 10 in Arizona was closed in both directions on Tuesday afternoon following a crash and hazmat spill caused by a commercial tanker truck rollover on the freeway.

According to the state’s Department of Public Safety, the freeway closure between Rita and Kolb roads in Tucson was "extensive" and drivers were encouraged to avoid the area. The crash occurred at around 2:43 pm local time.



Fox News reported that the truck spilled nitric acid, a highly corrosive chemical used in manufacturing and fertilizer. Pima County officials directed everyone within a one-mile radius of the accident to shelter in place.

The Department of Public Safety said in a 6:47 pm update that residents within a half-mile radius of the crash were being evacuated, while those within a mile radius were being ordered to shelter in place. In a later update, the department confirmed that the driver of the truck was deceased.

At 8:45 pm, the department said that those evacuated from the area would remain evacuated, but the shelter-in-place order had been lifted. Those in the area who had been instructed to turn off their air conditioning and heating units were allowed to turn them back on.

An update at 4:55 am on Wednesday though revealed that the shelter-in-place order had been reinstated, with residents within a one-mile radius being instructed once again to turn off their air conditioning and heating systems. "While crews were attempting to remove the load from the commercial vehicle, gassing occurred," the department stated.

Multiple agencies were reportedly on site to clean up the spill and there was no estimated time on reopening the road.

The spill followed a 50-car train derailment while en route to Pennsylvania the night of Feb. 3 in East Palestine, Ohio. Toxic chemicals including the highly toxic vinyl chloride were released into the air, ground, and water.