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I-75 Bridge Collapse and Tanker Explosion, Road Closures

by Amy Judd | July 16, 2009 at 09:22 am

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After a bridge collapsed on the I-75 near Hazel Park in Michigan yesterday, crews are now starting the clean-up process after a tanker carrying 13,000 gallons of fuel exploded and the Detroit-area freeway is currently a mess.

According to a police report, a car spun out of control while travelling on the highway and caused the tanker to crash in to the overpass.

Police said that the quick thinking driver of the semi saved lives when he moved to give the tanker room while it was spinning out and that if he didn't the crash could have been so much worse.

The drivers of the car, the tanker and a third tractor-trailer in the crash escaped with only minor injuries, said Hazel Park Fire Chief Ray DeWalt. He said all were treated at hospitals and released.

"A vehicle lost control and caused the tanker to lose control, causing it to flip," DeWalt said. He said that caused a Meijer Inc. tractor-trailer carrying produce to crash as well.

Transportation officials have already met to discuss the removal of the collapsed bridge, and what to do about the other half that is still standing.

A two-mile stretch of the highway in both directions is closed indefinitely from 7 Mile in the south to Interstate 696 in the north.

Motorists are being told to use alternate routes, such as the Lodge Freeway and other north-south routes, and possibly even the I-94 in Detroit.

Once the debris from the fire and crash is out of the way, then firefighters will finish clearing up any left over gasoline, but it is unclear when motorists will be able to use this road again.

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