Tanker Truck Bursts Into Flames Along Hwy 195

SPANGLE, WA — A fiery crash between a semi hauling diesel fuel and a pickup truck closed a 10 mile stretch of Highway 195 Monday morning.

The Washington State Patrol says the collision between the tanker and the truck happened at mile marker 75 just after 5:00 a.m.

Both the semi and the pickup tumbled down a hillside next to Highway 195, where one of the 4,000 gallon tanks filled with diesel fuel ruptured. The fuel then caught fire sending flames shooting into the air.

A foam truck from Spokane International Airport was sent in to put out the fire and Hazmat was on scene to clean up the diesel spill.

Investigators say the tanker and the pickup were both driving southbound on Highway 195 when the driver of the pickup attempted to pass the semi and lost control.

Both the pickup and the semi crashed through a guardrail, sending the diesel tanks and the pickup down the hillside.

Troopers at the scene say both drivers suffered only minor injuries and were sent to an area hospital as a precaution.

The WSP shut down both directions of Highway 195 from Plaza to Spangle.