1 person taken to hospital after multivehicle crash on U.S. Route 322 involving tanker truck
U.S. Route 322 was closed both ways in Harris Township for nearly 12 hours after a gas tanker truck started leaking gasoline following a multivehicle crash Tuesday afternoon, according to both local officials and PennDOT.
The leak was contained and it did not reach a nearby stream, officials said at about 5 p.m. Tuesday.
The crash occurred shortly before 3:30 p.m. when a Buick Century coming from the east — with no occupants but the driver — crossed the double line and struck the tanker, according to a news release from the state police at Rockview. The tanker toppled over a guardrail near the intersection of General Potter Highway and Bamboo Lane.
The tanker’s driver walked out with only a seatbelt burn, officials said. A second tractor trailer also swerved off the road to avoid the crash, winding up in a field before later driving off.
The driver of the Buick Century suffered suspected minor injuries, state police said, and was transported to UPMC Altoona.
Both lanes of U.S. Route 322 remained closed until about 2:30 a.m. Wednesday between Red Mill Road and Route 45, according to PennDOT. Drivers were told to follow the orange detour, which makes use of Route 45 and Route 144.
Centre Hall was first on the scene, with additional help from Boalsburg, Alpha and Gregg fire companies. Penn State Haz-Mat also reported.
Noah Riffe contributed to this report.
This story was originally published March 23, 2021 at 4:29 PM.
