A tractor trailer that overturned this morning closed the Asheville Highway until after lunch while cleanup continued.
The accident happened just after 7AM near the 12500 block of the Asheville Highway as the tractor trailer was going up the mountain toward North Carolina. The wreck happened after the section where the curves and steep climb begin. South Greene Volunteer Fire Department Chief David Weems said the trailer was hauling sand and was leaking diesel fuel from the saddle tanks. South Greene volunteers were able to keep the fuel spill contained while the Greeneville Fire Department HazMat team responded to clean up the spill.
The semi overturned on the driver’s side and came to rest in the middle of the roadway. The sand spilled into the oncoming lanes of traffic, resulting in the road closure. The only detour around that area was for traffic to take the Houston Valley Road to US 25/70 into Hot Springs. Likewise, traffic coming to Greeneville had to take that same detour around the accident site.
The driver was unhurt, but was initially unable to get out of the cab.
In addition to South Greene, the Tennessee Highway Patrol responded. EMS and the Greeneville Emergency & Rescue Squad also initially responded.
