MORGANTOWN — A portion of the Interstate 79 northbound lanes will be closed for most of Friday after a wreck caused a tractor-trailer to go over an embankment, according to MECCA 911 officials. The incident occurred at 1:44 a.m. at mile marker 144 near the Monongalia and Marion county line.
The tractor-trailer was carrying Moderna COVID-19 vaccines to be sent as aid to a foreign country, according to a release from the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies were dispatched to the scene.
The driver of the truck lost control, struck a concrete barrier and the tractor-trailer went down an embankment about 30 feet before landing on its side. The release says the driver was trapped inside the vehicle, had to be extricated and was treated for minor injuries at Ruby Memorial Hospital.
The release goes on to say that the Monongalia County Hazmat Team responded and reported that roughly 50 gallons of oil and anti-freeze spilled, leaking into a nearby stream. The West Virginia Division of Highways safety officer was also contacted and dispatched to the scene.
No other vehicles were involved in the wreck. Along with the sheriff’s office, Triune-Halleck, Clinton District, Winfield District (Marion County), West Virginia DOH and Mon EMS were on scene.
All traffic is being detoured to W.Va. 73. Southbound traffic is not affected.
There is no update as to when the interstate will reopen, as of Friday afternoon. Monongalia County Emergency Management will update its Facebook page when it does.
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