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Truck Driver Dies in Fiery Tanker Truck Accident in Chandler, AZ

November 15th, 2011 |

Author: Truck360 Staff

CHANDLER, AZ – A truck driver was killed on Wednesday, November 9, 2011 when two tanker trucks collided on Interstate 10 in Chandler, AZ.

Massive blaze from tanker truck fire on I-10 after a semi truck collision in Chandler, AZ where a truck driver was killed on November 9, 2011. Photo credit: Mark Henle/The Arizona Republic

Chandler is located in Maricopa County, Arizona in the southwest-central part of the state about 15 1/2 miles southeast of Tempe, 8 miles south of Mesa and 6 miles southwest of Gilbert.

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The accident occurred around 8:00 a.m. in rush hour traffic on I-10 between the 202 Freeway and Chandler Blvd. when a dairy truck rear-ended another semi tanker that was hauling flammable material.

Map showing location of fiery tanker truck accident in Chandler, AZ on the northbound Interstate 10 between the 202 Freeway and Chandler Blvd.

The tanker was carrying a mixture of 30 percent gasoline and 70 percent diesel fuel which burst into flames upon impact. The driver of the dairy truck managed to get out of his cab but died at the scene.

A huge cloud of black smoke that billowed from the wrecked truck could be seen for miles. Authorities imposed an evacuation order for all businesses within a one mile radius of I-10 and Chandler Boulevard.

Chandler police were instructed to begin evacuating hotels and businesses in the evacuation area. The evacuation order was in effect for about 30 minutes.

Fire crews were unable to reach the blaze for almost two hours and finally put it out around 9:45 a.m.

There was some concern for the environmental hazard so the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality was called in by firefighters at the accident scene to assess air quality and to monitor the situation.

The AZCentral.com website reports:

Burning diesel fuel can emit fumes from the fire itself as well as tiny air particulates that can infiltrate lungs and the bloodstream of people breathing the air nearby. The particulates are known as PM-2.5 because they measure 2.5 micrometers or less in diameter and are among the pollutants that can produce the worst health effects if they are inhaled.

Traffic was shut down in both directions on I-10 at Chandler Blvd. plus Loop 202 and the westbound San Tan Freeway were also closed for hours after the crash. Traffic was re-routed to Chandler Boulevard and Ray Road in the meantime.

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