Tractor Trailer Flips,
Puts a Hush to the Rush Hour

October 4, 1551 hrs
reported by WVFD PIO/Lt. Jeff Duer

Engine Company 3 was dispatched for the motor vehicle crash with injuries at Mattawoman Beantown Rd. and Crain Hwy. Rescue Squad 3 responded with 7 volunteers and were advised by communications that this now involved a tractor trailer and were receiving reports of subjects trapped. The assignment was upgraded to include additional engine, medic unit, and a rescue squad. Rescue Squad 3 arrived to find a tractor trailer had flipped onto the driver's side with no entrapment or other operational vehicles involved. The tractor trailer was carrying twelve pre-crushed cars. The tractor trailer was traveling onto northbound Crain Highway from Route 205, when it flipped onto Crain Highway, closing all but 2 lanes northbound and 4 lanes southbound. Assessment of the vehicle operator and passenger was immediately conducted while the vehicles and tractor were checked. Several vehicles were leaking fluids onto the roadway. The tractor proved to have the saddle tanks intact and minimal fluids leaking elsewhere. The assignment was held with Rescue Squad 3, Engine 31, PGCO Rescue Squad 40 and the BLS unit from 40. Additional resources from the Charles County Hazardous Materials Team and State Highway Administration were requested. The passenger of the tractor trailer was later flown to PGGHC for head trauma by MSP Trooper 2. Crain Hwy was closed several times during this incident, one lane north and three lanes south were the only ones open for approx. four hours. Lt. 3 (Duer) had the Command, Haz Mat Chief (Stevens) had the Haz Mat sector, Safety Sector; Safety 3 (Pembleton).

Units on the scene include; RS 3, Eng 31, PGCO RS 40, Amb. 409, Paramedic 399, Maryland State Police, Charles County Haz Mat , Charles County Sheriff's Office, Maryland State Highway Administration.

Company 3 units cleared the scene at 1931hrs.