Semi spills diesel near CdA River in crash

A semitruck swerved to avoid missing a pickup on Interstate 90 near Kellogg early Saturday, spilling 300 gallons of diesel fuel near the Coeur d’Alene River.

Idaho State Police reported that the driver and a sleeping passenger were treated and released from Shoshone Medical Center.

Reports state that the truck was hauling 15 tons of paper cups and frozen food to a McDonald’s restaurant in Missoula. The truck driver, 34-year old George W. Burton Jr., of Tacoma, said a pickup clipped his rig while attempting to pass, then spun around in front. Burton told state police that he swerved to avoid running over the pickup and tipped the semi-trailer on its side.

The sliding semi-trailer destroyed 250 feet of guardrail and dropped 35 feet down an embankment about one mile east of Kellogg at milepost 51 before stopping, according to ISP reports. Both fuel tanks ruptured and leaked diesel onto the frozen ground.

Crews scooped up the contaminated snow and shoveled up dirt before the fuel ran into the river, state police said.

The driver of the pickup did not stop, the ISP said.