Crash, overturned fuel tanker forces evacuations, road closure in Fayetteville

Investigators said a Jeep cut in from of the tractor-trailer before 2:30 a.m. between Ramsey Street and Murchison Road. The driver of the tanker swerved to avoid the collision, and the tanker overturned.

The unidentified truck driver, who was pinned inside the cab, and had to be cut out by emergency responders. He was taken to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center but was expected to be OK.

The Jeep wound up in a nearby ditch, and investigators said they believe the driver fled the area on foot.

About 3,500 gallons of gasoline leaked from the tanker onto the roadway, and some ran into a nearby creek.

"We put out foam blankets last night for the leakage to suppress vapors. That situation is gone at this time," Fire Battalion Commander Michael Audry said Thursday morning. "Now, it's just a cleanup crew making sure the smell goes down, the vapors. Right now, we have no hazard."

One lane of Country Club Drive was reopened between Lakecrest Drive and McChoen Drive by 5 p.m., and police said the road would remain partially closed until state Department of Transportation engineers clear it for reopening.

Drivers were encouraged to use other area roads to get around, as delays were expected on Country Club Drive.