TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

I-4 East Lanes Reopen After Tanker Accident

ADVERTISEMENT

By VALERIE KALFRIN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 24, 2007

TAMPA - At least two eastbound lanes of Interstate 4 have reopened between Orient Road and U.S. 301 after a fuel tanker overturned this morning, officials said.

Hillsborough County Fire Rescue said the 8,500 gallons of gasoline the truck carried didn't spill onto the road. Firefighters offloaded 8,200 gallons to another tanker and left 300 gallons on the disabled truck, which was towed.

Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Larry Coggins said the crash occurred near the U.S. 301 exit about 6:58 a.m. while eastbound traffic slowed for a previous crash.

The driver of the tanker, Steven Ellis, 37, of Orlando, failed to slow down, jackknifed the truck and rear-ended a 2003 Porsche coupe, Coggins said. The truck then overturned on the south shoulder.
Hillsborough County Fire Rescue said Ellis had just filled the tanker at the Port of Tampa.

Ellis had minor injuries and was transported to Tampa General Hospital for treatment, Coggins said.
The Porsche's driver, Stephen Snook, 36, of Tampa, was not hurt, Coggins said. Snook and Ellis were wearing seatbelts.

Ellis will be cited for careless driving, Coggins said.
Reporter Valerie Kalfrin can be reached at (813) 259-7800 or vkalfrin@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT