Overturned Tanker Spills Crude Oil near Walcott Junction

Wyoming Highway Patrol Photo

Wyoming Highway Patrol Photo

A commercial tanker crash on Saturday resulted in a breach and release of approximately 10,000 gallons of crude oil.

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The crash occurred at around 7:30 a.m. at the intersection of Wyoming State Highway 130 and the Interstate 80 westbound on-ramp near Walcott Junction, 20 miles east of Rawlins.

According to the Wyoming Highway Patrol, a 2009 Peterbilt commercial truck that was towing the tanker trailer was attempting to turn left from WY 130 northbound onto the I-80 westbound on-ramp when the combination unit overturned during the turn.

The driver of the truck, 25-year-old Riverton resident Anthony Keele, was wearing his seat belt and was not injured.

Keele was cited for taking the turn at a speed that was too fast. The on-ramp was closed for approximately 30 minutes before WyDOT and towing crews were able to make the ramp passable for traffic. The overall cleanup was still ongoing Monday morning.