On Monday, a truck that was carrying toxic soil from the train derailment zone in East Palestine crashed in the same county.
The truck crashed and overturned while it was still in Columbiana County, the same county as East Palestine. It was transporting about 40,000 lbs of contaminated soil from the derailment site that caused an ecological disaster for the residents of the surrounding area.
The initial incident that contaminated this soil in the first place occurred on February 3 when a Norfolk Southern train that was carrying hazardous materials derailed. Toxic materials from the train cars leaked out and contaminated the surrounding environment.
Locals were ordered to evacuate as authorities removed “substantial contamination” in the surrounding soil and water.
About 20,000 lbs of this contaminated soil spilled out onto the road on Monday. However, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reported that the spill is contained and that it does not pose a threat to nearby waterways.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol reported that the truck crashed around 1 pm, just north of East Palestine.
“The preliminary investigation revealed that the commercial vehicle was traveling northbound when it went off of the right side of the roadway, struck a ditch and utility pole, and ultimately overturned,” said law enforcement. At this time, it is unclear what caused the truck to crash.
Law enforcement also reported that the truck driver suffered minor injuries and was cited for operating a vehicle without reasonable control.
This crash heightens concerns about the safety measures that are in place for the transportation of contaminated materials from the East Palestine derailment site.
In early March, Michigan lawmakers and residents were shocked to learn that contaminated liquid from the East Palestine train derailment site was being transported to an injection well in Romulus, Michigan. Contaminated soil was also being transported to a disposal site in Van Buren Township, Michigan.
Local officials expressed their frustration not only because they were kept in the dark about this relocation of Ohio’s toxic waste but also because the injection well is near the nation’s largest supply of fresh water.
Michigan officials soon halted the transport of hazardous materials from Ohio.
The initial incident that contaminated this soil in the first place occurred on February 3 when a Norfolk Southern train that was carrying hazardous materials derailed. Toxic materials from the train cars leaked out and contaminated the surrounding environment.
