Tanker Truck Accident

Ohio Tanker Truck Accident

Police are continuing to investigate a tanker truck crash that killed a 44-year-old Pennsylvania man and spilled about 50 gallons of sulfuric acid at Steels Corners and Akron-Peninsula roads late last week.

Portions of Akron-Peninsula and Steels Corners roads were closed for more than 12 hours Dec. 26 while the sulfuric acid was contained by hazardous materials crews, a second tanker truck collected the acid from the crashed tanker, the accident site was cleared and the Ohio EPA performed tests and other cleanup procedures.

The driver, Shawn Flynn, 44, of Canonsburg, Pa., died from blunt impact to the head sustained in the accident, said Gary Guenther, investigator for the Summit County Medical Examiner's office. Flynn was driving for M.C. Tank Transport, a West Chester (near Cincinnati) company. According to Guenther, Flynn was pronounced dead at the scene. Akron city spokesman Mark Williamson said the tanker was carrying about 3,000 gallons of sulfuric acid and about 50 gallons of the substance spilled out of the vehicle in the accident. Williamson reported the truck was headed to the city of Akron's composting facility on Riverview Road, and added the sulfuric acid is used to balance the pH level in the compost mixture.

According to Williamson, the weather conditions prevented the sulfuric acid from traveling very far. "When this truck hit, it created a pool of mud around it and the mud froze," said Williamson. He added to his knowledge, the spill of sulfuric acid had not caused environmental problems.

First reported by the Falls News Press

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