MANKATO — A semi tanker rolled on its side on a roundabout on Blue Earth County Road 12 at Highway 14 Tuesday afternoon, causing minor injury and little environmental impact.
The Blue Earth County Sheriff’s Department and Eagle Lake Fire responded to the accident after a witness reported a semi tanker rolled onto its side and was leaking liquid from the trailer.
The driver and only occupant of the semi, 52-year-old Jason Smebak of Little Falls, had minor injuries. No other vehicles or people were involved.
The leaking liquid was identified as diluted calcium chloride which is commonly used as a dust suppressant on gravel roads. It is believed that hundreds of gallons leaked from the fill location on top of the trailer before it could be secured and pulled back onto its tires.
Efforts to contain the spill were done with the assistance of the Blue Earth County Highway Department and Affordable Towing. The Minnesota Duty Officer was notified and environmental impact is expected to be minimal due to the chemical involved.
The semi tractor, a 2006 International, is owned by the Knife River Corp. in Sauk Rapids.
The incident remains under investigation with the assistance of the state patrol.