Turnpike directs drivers of tarred cars to insurance company
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The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is advising drivers whose vehicles were damaged by a tar-like chemical that spilled from a tanker truck Tuesday night to contact the truck company's insurer.
The chemical leaked from a tanker truck traveling east on the turnpike, damaging a few vehicles to the point they could no longer move and delaying traffic between the New Castle and Allegheny Valley exits for hours.
Bill Capone, a spokesman for the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, said a truck from Marino Transportation Services in Stevensville, Md., drove onto the turnpike at the New Castle exit shortly before 8 p.m. The driver, unaware that his truck was leaking, continued east for about 40 miles before pulling into the Oakmont service plaza, Mr. Capone said.
The majority of the warm, sticky substance fell before the Warrendale toll plaza.
The turnpike recommended today that owners of damaged vehicles call Travelers, the truck company's insurer, at 1-800-238-6225 and follow the prompt for business claims. They should use claim number F9Y7972.
The turnpike planned to issue information later today on the best products to use to remove the tar, spokesman Carl DeFebo said.
State police intend to charge the truck driver with failing to secure the load, Trooper John Wolff of the Gibsonia barracks said today. The summary offense carries a $300 to $1,000 fine.
Mr. Capone said crews were out Tuesday night working to peel up some of the tar and then place down a sand-like substance. He warned drivers to be on the lookout for cleanup crews and some possible lane closures.
Some drivers whose cars were damaged were angry today that the turnpike wasn't closed.
"It's really frustrating. Nobody stopped you from going through that stuff," said Betsy Kowalski of State College, whose Suburu was damaged. She said as she entered the turnpike at Cranberry she began seeing scores of motorists pulled to the side, peering at their tires.
First Published November 23, 2011 12:00 am
