Monday accident closed FM 616

By Michael Brooks

Staff Writer

    On Monday, June 27, an 18 wheeler overturned spilling fuel and oil which causing a section of FM 616 to be closed.

    “At 8:52 a.m. a 2022 Peterbilt truck-tractor towing a tanker filled with diesel overturned,” DPS Spokesman Sgt. Ruben San Miguel said. “The driver was travelling east. He failed to drive in a single lane, and went off the roadway to the right, then overcorrected and caused the truck to turn over on its side in the ditch.”

    San Miguel explained the diesel in the tanker was spilling out of the fill hole after the truck overturned.

    “Approximately 1,000 gallons of Diesel spilled on the road, causing FM 616 to be closed for several hours while it was being cleaned,” he said.

    The driver was not significantly injured and was taken to Citizens Medical Hospital in stable condition.

    Because of the oil saturating into the road, on Wednesday, June 29, the road was closed again as a crew dug out the section the section of road and replacing it.

    Precinct 4 Commissioner Dennis Karl said the accident occurred between La Ward and Lolita. “Along with the diesel, a 55 gallon oil drum  busted, releasing grease all over the road,” Karl explained.