JEFFERSON, IOWA – The DNR responded to a diesel spill after a semi hauling Pepsi products hit a bridge about five miles southwest of Jefferson in Greene county Tuesday morning.
A 2002 International semi truck driven by 34-year-old Bradley E. Ruhnke was traveling westbound on E57 at about 9:30 AM when Ruhnke lost control, crossed the center line and hit the corner of a bridge. The semi rolled and came to rest, essentially hanging over the edge of the bridge, with the trailer being in the creek.
Ruhnke was transported to the Greene county medical center and later airlifted to a Des Moines hospital.
The accident released an estimated 200 gallons of diesel fuel and other fluids into Greenbrier Creek beneath the bridge on Greene County road E-57. Emergency responders placed absorbent booms into the creek to catch and absorb the petroleum products.
The spill is contained, the DNR says, and they are monitoring clean-up as the trucking company and contractors work to remove the diesel fuel.
The DNR will consider appropriate enforcement action.