February 23, 2003
Thomas County - U.S. Highway 19 in Meigs is now open, after crews worked throughout the night to clean up a gas spill. A gasoline tanker truck from Lanier Oil Company, of Albany, struck a car that attempted to cross Highway 19 at the intersection of Midway Church Road in Thomas County, just south of Meigs. The accident happened around 2 p.m.
Both vehicles left the road and overturned into a steep ditch along the Southbound lanes.
The tank was punctured and leaked 200-800 gallons of fuel.
The 76-year-old female driver of the car was transported to Archbold Hospital in Thomasville with suspected broken bones and is in the Critical Care Unit. The driver of the semi was treated and released with minor injuries.
Both the North and Southbound lanes remain closed at this hour and may not reopen until Monday.
"If we get the vapor down to a safe level where they won't have any problems with ignition from passing cars - probably later on tonight or it'll be tomorrow," Chief Levon Gassett with the Meigs Volunteer Fire Department said.
Meanwhile, traffic was rerouted around Meigs.
Thomas County Sheriff's Department, the Georgia State Patrol, Meigs and Oclochnee Volunteer Fire Departments, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Georgia Department of Transportation were involved in the clean-up.
More information as it becomes available.
posted at 10:50p.m. by mathew.palmer@walb.com
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