Fertilizer Truck Crash Creates Mess on U.S. 19

Update Aug. 18, 3:44 p.m.: The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office has announced that lanes are now open on U.S. 19. The Florida Highway Patrol says the crash involved a Scott’s Lawn Service truck that struck a center median barrier wall. No injuries were reported.

Earlier:

Motorists are being asked to steer clear of northbound U.S. 19 Tuesday afternoon following a chemical spill.

According to Clearwater Fire & Rescue, all northbound lanes of U.S. 19 between Countryside Boulevard and Republic Drive are closed at this time.

The accident in question occurred when a lawn and garden fertilizer truck was involved in a crash at 19 and Republic Drive, fire rescue wrote in an email to media.

“The impact ruptured the tank, spilling out 100 gallons of liquid chemicals onto the roadway,” the email said.

Fire rescue crews are handling the spill while the Florida Highway Patrol investigates the crash.

Further details about the incident are not yet available.

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