COCOA, Fla. — A tanker truck crashed and spilled 7,200 gallons of biodiesel on southbound Interstate 95 near Cocoa on Thursday morning, backing up traffic for several hours.
- Overturned tanker spilled 7,200 gallons of biodiesel fuel
- Fuel is flammable but not explosive, troopers said
- Southbound I-95 closed for several hours for cleanup
The crash happened near mile marker 197, which is north of the Fiske Boulevard exit, at about 10 a.m.
The driver of the tanker truck became distracted and lost control, said Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Kim Montes said.
About 7,200 gallons of the fuel spilled onto the roadway, firefighters said. Montes said the biodiesel, derived from discarded grease from restaurants and other sources, is not explosive, but it can be flammable.
"The driver received minor injuries," Montes said in a news release. "Crews were immediately called to clean up and traffic southbound is being diverted at (State Road) 520.
No other vehicles were involved.
The wrecked vehicle was removed and all travel lanes were reopened before 3 p.m. But emergency vehicles were still on the shoulder at that time, and traffic was slower than normal.