Staff Report
GILROY
– A Werner Enterprises big rig carrying 44,000 tons of Maxwell
House Coffee cans overturned in front of Gilroy Foods on the
shoulder of Highway 152 this morning, taking out a fire hydrant,
sending cans of coffee in every direction and narrowly averting
disaster.
Staff Report
GILROY – A Werner Enterprises big rig carrying 44,000 tons of Maxwell House Coffee cans overturned in front of Gilroy Foods on the shoulder of Highway 152 this morning, taking out a fire hydrant, sending cans of coffee in every direction and narrowly averting disaster.
Nobody was hurt in the accident that occurred at 5:32 a.m. on eastbound 152, but it took fire crews more than four hours to shut off the water due to water-line troubles.
“Another 10 feet to the right and he would’ve taken out the main gas line (to Gilroy Foods),” said Gilroy Fire Department Capt. Clay Bentson. “There would’ve been a big bang and then a lot of people would’ve been in trouble.”
According to the driver of the truck, he lost control of his vehicle when an unidentified car turned in front of him, Bentson said.
“But there’s a good chance he could’ve nodded off for a second,” Bentson said.
The driver was taken to Saint Louise Regional Hospital to be treated for a minor cut to his ear and has since been released, according to the fire department.
To add to the problems, a large amount of diesel fuel spilled from the truck and leaked into a nearby storm drain, but it was quickly contained by fire crews with the help of a Gilroy Foods emergency response team. The accident did not slow the morning commute because it was on the shoulder, although fire crews remained on the site until approximately 9:45 a.m. containing the ruptured water lines.
