A portion of an Arizona freeway will remain closed in both directions until Wednesday morning after a fatal rollover resulted in a hazardous materials spill Tuesday afternoon, according to the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
At around 2:43 p.m. MST Tuesday, AZDPS said a commercial tractor truck pulling a box trailer overturned on Interstate 10 between Rita and Kolb roads in Tucson, causing a spill and “extensive shutdown.” ” in both directions that will affect drivers on Wednesday morning. commute
Pima County officials told Fox News Digital that the spilled substance was nitric acid in liquid form.
An update at 8:14 p.m. MST announced that the driver of the commercial vehicle was dead. The identity of the driver was not shared.
ARIZONA AUTHORITIES ISSUES EVACUATION AND SHELTER-IN-PLACE ORDERS AFTER NITRIC ACID SPILL
A portion of an Arizona highway was closed in both directions Tuesday due to a HAZMAT accident and spill. (Sir Topplebottom via Twitter)
About 30 minutes later, AZDPS lifted the shelter-in-place order issued earlier in the day, but said those who were evacuated were to remain as such.
The evacuated area included a half-mile perimeter around the incident. AZDPS did not give an estimate of when the evacuees could return.
Residents within a one-mile perimeter affected by the shelter-in-place order were told around 9:15 p.m. MST that it was safe to resume use of heaters and air conditioners.
The Tucson Fire Hazmat team works to control a wildfire in Arizona. (Tucson Fire Department)
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According to the CDC, nitric acid is a highly corrosive chemical used in the polymer industry and in the manufacture of fertilizers, dyes, and explosives.
Exposure may cause delayed pulmonary edema, pneumonitis, bronchitis, dental erosion, and irritation of the eyes, skin, and mucous membranes.
The Tucson Fire Hazmat team works to control a wildfire in Arizona. (Tucson Fire Department)
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The spill came weeks after a derailed train in Ohio leaked toxic chemicals into the air in the city of East Palestine.
Many questions remain unanswered after a train consisting of approximately 50 cars, including several carrying highly toxic vinyl chloride, derailed en route to Pennsylvania on the night of February 3 due to a broken axle.
Fox News’ Louis Casiano contributed to this report.
