A Peterbilt semi-truck and trailer carrying a load of powdered limestone, rolled and came to rest upside down on Chimney Rock Road, spilling its load and diesel fuel and triggering a haz-mat response. Photo courtesy CHP
The Highway Patrol had a real mess to clean up after a semi-truck and trailer overturned on a country road and spilled its cargo onto the pavement.
According to a news release from CHP Spokesman Ofc. Ryan Armstrong, at about 8:35 a.m. Monday, Feb. 17, a Bakersfield man, Luis Hernandezlopez, 29, was driving a Peterbilt truck and towing a trailer filled with powdered limestone, on Chimney Rock Road in rural Paso Robles, when he lost control on a turn and flipped the truck onto its side.
“Due to Mr. Hernandezlopez’ unsafe speed for the current conditions,” Ofc. Armstrong said, “he failed to slow his vehicle enough for a curve in the roadway, which caused the Peterbilt’s tires to break traction from the asphalt. The Peterbilt slid off the south roadway edges and overturned.”
That caused his limestone powder load and diesel fuel to spill onto the embankment “subsequently creating a hazardous materials incident. He suffered minor injuries as a result of the crash.”
Cleanup crews were dispatched and Chimney Rock Road was closed for some four hours as they righted the truck and trailer and scooped up the limestone. Ofc. Armstrong said drugs and alcohol were not believed to be a factor in the crash.
Limestone powder is made from pulverized limestone rock and is considered a valuable and versatile mineral. Limestone powder is used in cement and concrete production to add strength and durability. It is also used as a soil stabilizer, improving soil structure and load-bearing capacity.
It is mostly made of calcium carbonate, a substance found in sedimentary rocks, and can have other elements in it, like aluminum, silica and magnesium.
