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HAZMAT Crews Called To Wash. Co. Tanker Crash

CANTON TOWNSHIP (KDKA) - Part of State Route 18 Washington County was closed for hours Monday because of an accident.

According to officials, three tanker trucks crashed around 3 a.m. in Canton Township.

Hours after the tanker trucks collided, crews were still soaking up some of the thousands of gallons of spilled diesel fuel.

One of the drivers who saw the truck coming tried to avoid being hit.

"Once he [saw] the truck coming, he got off the berm a little bit. The tractor-trailer hit him, flipped him into the parking lot. He actually ended up on the driver's side," Canton Township Fire Chief Dave Gump said.

The crash caused significant damage to the trucks.

"The front of that tractor-trailer is smashed. I can't believe somebody didn't really get hurt. I mean, it's really bad," Jim Loos, who owns a nearby business, said.

About 1,300 gallons of diesel fuel and 400 gallons of fracking water leaked into Chartiers Creek and the sewer drains.

Traffic on Route 18 was shut down after HAZMAT, DEP and Weavertown officials cleaned things up.

State police say the driver of the diesel truck was flown to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital. His name and condition aren't known.

One of the Highland Environmental fracking truck drivers was taken to Washington Hospital with minor injuries.

The other driver involved helped the fire department clear the scene.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.

Route 18 was closed into the afternoon.

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