THOMASVILLE, GA (WTXL) - The driver of a tanker truck carrying more than 8,000 gallons of gasoline and diesel has been charged.
According to the Georgia State Patrol, the driver of the truck, whose name has not yet been released, was turning left from U.S. 19 South on to U.S. 84 Monday afternoon.
The traffic light at the intersection reportedly turned yellow. That's when troopers said the driver sped up to try to catch the light, flipping the tanker over as the driver went into the turn.
The driver was charged with driving too fast for conditions and failure to maintain a lane. They were transported to the hospital, but released Monday night, the Thomas County Sheriff's Office said.
The intersection, along with some local businesses, were closed until just after 11 p.m. Monday, deputies said.
Crews were called in from Jacksonville to assist in the clean-up, which deputies said will last several days as they remove the contaminated soil and replace it.
