A tractor-trailer driven by a Vancouver man spilled 34,000 pounds of hazardous material Thursday morning near The Dalles, Ore.
Monte Harlbut, 27, was driving northbound on Steele Road in Wasco County when an oncoming commercial vehicle entered his lane, according to the Oregon State Patrol. Hurlbut drove toward the ditch on the right side of the road to avoid a collision and his tractor-trailer rolled down the embankment, dumping solid hazardous material, according to the State Patrol.
The material is considered a marine pollutant, but it didn’t get into any waterways, OSP reported. A trucking company was removing the contaminant Thursday.
Troopers are searching for the commercial vehicle that veered into the wrong lane, as well as anyone who witnessed the incident.
