Tractor-Trailer Truck Spews Oil

On I-84 Offramp

A tractor-trailer truck traveling westward on Interstate 84 on the night of July 6, blew a pressurized engine oil line, resulting in a lengthy oil spill on the highway’s Exit 10 offramp and adjacent westbound Church Hill Road.

The leaking truck then stopped in a dirt parking area on the corner of Church Hill Road and Edmond Road.

At 9:10 pm, Sandy Hook firefighters were dispatched to handle the oil spill.

Firefighters spread absorbent materials to contain the spill and also called in the state Department of Transportation (DOT) to sand the area because the roadways had become slippery from the spillage, said Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company Chief Bill Halstead. The Exit 10 offramp where the leak occurred is very sharply curved.

Chief Halstead said he traveled on westbound I-84 from Exit 11 to Exit 10 to gauge the extent of the oil spill.

State police went to the oil spill to investigate.

Firefighters spent about 30 minutes at the spill, Chief Halstead said.