HAZMAT crews had to be called in to Moundville on Thursday to clean up around 2,000 gallons of aviation fuel spilled over a five-mile stretch that includes a bridge over a creek.
According to the Moundville Police Department, truck driver Alphonso Terry, Jr. of Daphne attempted to get his fuel tanker filled up at an area gas depot but was told he needed to discharge his current fuel. The nearest location to do that was Meridian, Miss.
Instead of going to Mississippi, Terry reportedly decided to dump the 2,000 gallons worth of aviation fuel along the shoulders and sides of Powers Loop Road and Johnston Road in Moundville.
Authorities were alerted when a driver noticed the tanker was leaking fuel.
Moundville Police chief Toby Banks arrested the 58-year-old truck driver after determining that he decided to drive off his truck route, release the valves, bypass the safety mechanisms and illegally empty his fuel load.
After an EMA crew cleaned up the spill, Hale County EMA director Russ Weeden said the threat to the area was unlikely because none of the spill made its way into the waterway.
Terry was charged with five counts of spillage and one count of criminal mischief.
(h/t Moundville Times)
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