A stretch of Interstate 84 was closed for more than eight hours on Monday after a truck hauling a corrosive material was involved in an accident near Meacham.
The Oregon State Police is reporting that at approximately 4 a.m., troopers responded to a single-vehicle crash on I-84 at milepost 233 westbound near Meacham in Umatilla County.
A preliminary investigation revealed a green 2006 Freightliner Conventional Truck hauling tetramethylammonium hydroxide (ammonia solution – which is a corrosive) was traveling westbound on I-84 near milepost 233 when the operator, Donna Carlson, 42, of Prescott, Ark., lost control of the vehicle combination on the icy roadway. The vehicle combination entered into the median resulting in the trailer rolling onto its side, rupturing the trailer. Carlson and her male passenger, Morrey Carlson, 42, also of Prescott, were not injured.
OSP and the Oregon Department of Transportation initially set up an isolation distance of half a mile in all directions due to the hazardous materials concern. The Hermiston Fire and Emergency Services Hazardous Materials Unit, the Umatilla Tribal Fire Department and the National Response Corporation Environmental Services responded to the scene. The investigation is ongoing.
I-84 was initially closed for more than 8 hours in both directions while crews tended to the scene. Intermittent closures are still in effect. If traveling, plan accordingly and have an alternate route in mind if necessary. Go to www.tripcheck.com for updates on road closures and weather information.
