Tractor-trailer rolls on its side

June 24, 2006

There was no leakage of a dangerous gas Friday morning after a tractor-trailer rolled onto its side near the East Oak Ridge Drive terminal of Roadway Express.

Washington County Sheriff's Deputy 1st Class James Woods said the accident occurred at 8:53 a.m. in the 300 block of East Oak Ridge Drive as trucker David Verts pulled out of the terminal.

The load in Verts' box trailer shifted, causing the truck to leave the road and roll down an embankment, Woods said.

The truck was carrying about 600 pounds of difluoroethane, a volatile gas that can become explosive if exposed to air, Woods said.

"The Roadway people were fantastic," Woods said. "They were right there with anything we wanted."

Also responding to the incident were personnel from the Washington County Hazardous Materials unit and the Funkstown Volunteer Fire Co.

Once it was determined none of the gas had leaked, Roadway made arrangements for a contractor to remove the cargo and right the vehicle, Woods said.

Verts, 55, of Tennessee, was taken to Washington County Hospital, where Woods said he was treated for a cut on his head and released.

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