Massive fire erupts after tanker truck goes over side of bridge; 1 dead

MACEONDIA, Ohio (WOIO/Gray News) - One person is dead after a tanker truck crashed and caught fire Saturday morning in Ohio.

The tanker truck was traveling northbound on State Route 8 and was trying to get on Interstate 271, when it lost control and went over the side of the bridge, according to Summit County Inspector Bill Holland.

The truck then landed on the northbound lanes and burst into flames.

The driver of the truck died in the crash. He has not been identified at this time.

The tanker contained 7,500 gallons of diesel at the time of the crash, according to a spokesperson from the Ohio EPA.

Diesel appeared to leak into a nearby creek that briefly caught fire after the crash. The fire has since been put out and Ohio EPA officials confirmed they are installing containment in the creek to stop the spread of the diesel and overseeing abatement efforts.

The Summit County HAZMAT team, Macedonia Fire Department and Twinsburg Fire Department are currently assisting with traffic.

Matt Bruning, a spokesperson for the Ohio Department of Transportation, confirmed inspectors are currently looking at the bridge, which will remain closed until it is deemed safe.

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