Quick-thinking driver avoids disaster on I-70
LITTLE POINT -- The quick, calm reaction of an eastbound semi driver likely averted a major disaster on Interstate 70 early Wednesday morning.
David W. Shrader, 58, Ashmore, Ill., was eastbound on I-70 just east of the 48-mile marker shortly before 2 a.m. when he began to smell a burning scent from the 2005 International semi tractor.
Shrader advised Deputy Matt Biggs of the Putnam County Sheriff's Department that he then pulled the truck over and noticed the rear of the tractor was on fire.
While Shrader could have simply gotten clear of the burning rig, his cargo made the situation much more dangerous.
The tanker trailer was filled with 8,000 gallons of ethanol he had just picked up from Cloverdale POET Biorefining plant.
Shrader instead got back in his truck, set down the landing legs on the tanker and unhitched it, driving the burning tractor 100 to 150 feet clear of the trailer.
Cloverdale Township Volunteer Fire Chief Kerry Shepherd praised the driver for his brave act that likely prevented a much larger incident.
"It was quick thinking by the driver or it would have been a huge mess," Shepherd said.
The chief said his department carries quite a bit of firefighting foam for hazardous materials incidents along the highway, but that 8,000 gallons of ethanol would have required reinforcements.
On arrival, fire and police units found only damage to the tractor in the rear wheel area. The truck, registered to Pollard Trucking of Charleston, Ill., sustained between $25,001 and $50,000 in damage.
Both truck and trailer were hauled to Little Point by Curtis Towing.
Shepherd said the fire originated in the wheel area and may have been the result of a flat tire or a brake problem. He added that it was fortunate things turned out as they did.
"It definitely could have been a much bigger mess. We got lucky," Shepherd said, before pausing and reconsidering the word "lucky."
"The quick-thinking truck driver saved us all a lot of headaches."
Following the fire, eastbound I-70 was closed between 60 and 90 minutes.