Semi-trailer crashed and spilled 40,000 pounds of motor oil on I-70 East

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A semi-trailer containing 40,000 pounds of Pennzoil Motor Oil crashed and overturned on Interstate 70 East late Tuesday night, forcing the closure of the interstate for over six hours.

According to Columbus police at 11:22 p.m. a semi hit a bridge support beam at the Courtright Road overpass on I-70 East between the South Hamilton Road and James Road exits. Boxes containing a total of 40,000 pounds of Pennzoil Motor Oil spilled into the roadway and across the median of the highway.

Some of the boxes and the containers within the boxes ruptured causing oil to spill onto the highway and crews took over six hours to clean up the wreckage. The cab of the truck caught fire and was totaled in the aftermath of the crash.

Police have yet to determine the cause of the crash but reported that the driver was taken to Grant Medical Center in stable condition.

As of 5:30 a.m. Wednesday I-70 eastbound remained closed eastbound from U.S. Route 33 to South Hamilton Road, though the debris and the semi-truck had been cleared.

At 6:05 a.m., I-70 East reopened.