WASATCH COUNTY, Utah — A semi-truck plunged into Deer Creek Reservoir Monday evening, and officials say the driver has not been found.
Utah Highway Patrol said the truck was traveling south on U.S. Highway 189 when it lost control and jackknifed, then hit a guardrail and went into the lake. UHP said the driver is “unaccounted for.”
Utah Highway Patrol
The highway has been closed in both directions, and it is likely to remain closed for a significant amount of time. No specific time was given, but UHP said to expect an “extended closure for recovery and hazmat.”
Tuesday morning, UHP officials said recovering the driver is the top priority and dive teams will take to the water to find them.
The identity of the driver was not disclosed by officials, but UHP said they were from Utah and their family has been notified.
After recovering the driver, further efforts will be made to clean up the mess left by the crash.
Fire Chief Eric Hales of the Wasatch Fire District said the truck was hauling 12,000 gallons of propane, which dissipated into the atmosphere at the time of the crash.
The truck was also carrying 130 gallons of diesel fuel, which leaked into the water.
Absorption booms and curtains have been placed in the reservoir to help soak up the mess and water conservancy officials are at the scene to lend their expertise and assistance in mitigation efforts.
Deer Creek Reservoir is part of the drinking water system, but officials said they contained the spill and will work more to clean it out once the driver is recovered and the truck is removed from the reservoir.
Officials asked for patience as they said they understood the inconvenience of the closure but must conduct a thorough investigation into the crash.
Because of the road closure, the Wasatch County School District said teachers should plan to travel through Parleys Canyon to get to work on Tuesday.
Additionally, school buses will not stop in Wallsburg to pick up students due to the closure. The district told FOX 13 News the school day will be held as normal since the closure will only impact residents in Wallsburg.
The exact cause of the crash is still under investigation.
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