UPDATED: Semi truck rollover dumps 80 to 100 gallons of diesel into wetlands

First responders were sent out to a report of a crash at W Smith Road and Hovander Road this morning about 9:30am. When they arrived they found a semi truck had left the road on Hovander Road just north of W Smith Road and ended up upside down in the flooded ditch along the west side of Hovander Road.

Officials with the Department of Ecology report 80 to 100 gallons of diesel spilled into the wetland area along the roadside as a result of the rollover. Ecology officials said the diesel leaked from the truck’s tanks as it was hauling aluminum ingots at the time.

Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office Undersheriff Jeff Parks said there was the driver and one passenger in the sleeper cab in the semi truck when the crash occurred. He didn’t expect to have information regarding possible charges or violations until tomorrow.

Whatcom County Fire District Division Chief Ben Boyko said there were no reported injuries to the driver and the driver trainer aboard the semi truck.

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Boyko also said the spill of diesel from the semi truck’s tank was isolated to the area of the incident.

City of Ferndale Public Works Supervisor Bo Westford said they caught a break since there is a shallow water main along that side of the roadway. “[It] just missed. The truck was so far off the road that it straddled the main,” according to Westford.

Whatcom County Public Works officials say the road between Scout Place and LaBounty Drive is expected to remain closed until sometime Thursday, April 5th.

Department of Ecology, State Patrol, WCSO, County Public Works, and Ferndale Public Works responded.