Wreck involving tanker truck prompts evacuation of Selma businesses
Johnston County authorities had to evacuate several businesses after wreck Tuesday afternoon involving a tanker truck on U.S. Highway 70 in Selma.
Posted — UpdatedThe wreck happened after 1 p.m. at the intersection of U.S. Highway 70 and Ricks Road near Interstate 95. Several fast-food restaurants, as well as a BP gas station and Masters Inn hotel in the area.
Johnston County Fire Marshal Paul Whitehurst said things could have been much worse. Ethanol can be highly flammable, but only a small amount of it leaked, and the tank did not rupture.
"If something had happened, we would have been ready to where we could have attacked that problem, but, yes, we were very lucky," Whitehurst said.
The driver had only minor injuries and was expected to make a full recovery, he added.
A spokeswoman with the Johnston County Sheriff's Office said businesses within 500 feet of the wreck were evacuated as a precaution. It's unclear how many places were affected.
The area between U.S. Highway 301 and I-95 were temporarily closed while hazmat crews cleared the scene.
Authorities have not said what caused the wreck.
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