Police Search for Pickup Truck Involved in Tanker Fire on I-270
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Police are searching for a pickup truck believed to be involved in a large fire that billowed over Interstate 270 in northeast Columbus after a tanker carrying thousands of gallons of oil overturned and caught fire.
According to Columbus police, a semi carrying fuel overturned on the ramp from I-270 South to State Route 161 East just before 1:45 p.m. and caught fire after a pickup truck lost control and struck the semi. The collision caused the semi to veer into the guardrail and flip over.
The driver of the pickup truck fled the scene, heading east on SR-161. The driver of the tanker was taken to Riverside Hospital and is in stable condition. A spokesperson with the Columbus Division of Fire said the tanker was carrying 8,500 gallons of fuel.
“At that point, it turns into a Hazmat run with a fire and our crews began to work on that scene,” Columbus Division of Fire Battalion Chief Jeffrey Geitter said. Franklin Township fire was called in to use their foam truck, and Port Columbus/John Glenn fire also responded.
Geitter said a large majority of the spilled fuel burned off and that most of the fuel was contained within the tanker part of the truck. The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, Columbus Public Health, and Franklin County emergency management were notified and responded accordingly.
The fire forced long-term closures of all lanes on I-270 and SR-161 in the area. The bridge sustained fire damage, and the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) inspected the overpass to determine if it would reopen. According to ODOT, the I-270 southbound ramp to SR-161 remained closed into Monday morning, with repairs taking place overnight. The bridge on the I-270 northbound to SR-161 ramp was deemed safe by inspectors but was closed overnight for debris removal. All ramps were opened just after 5:30 a.m.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation, and the AIU asks that any person with knowledge of the involved vehicle or driver call (614) 645-4767. Persons wishing to remain anonymous may contact Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at (614) 461-8477.
