A tanker truck transporting some 8,800 gallons of fuel overturned Wednesday near Grossmont College, spilling fuel onto the roadway.
The 9:30 a.m. accident forced residential evacuations, along with a precautionary power shutoff in the area near Fletcher Parkway and Navajo Road, Heartland Fire & Rescue reported.
Emergency crews arrived to find gasoline spilling from the damaged truck’s tank and flowing into nearby storm drains, said Andy McKellar, a spokesman for the agency.
Authorities cleared people out of homes within a 300-foot radius of the crash site and advised some residents living farther away to remain inside until further notice, McKellar said. Also, due to potential problems from fuel leaking into underground power equipment, utility crews shut down electrical service in the area.
County hazardous-materials crews were called in to deal with the chemical spill, which was expected to cleared by late afternoon, according to McKellar.
Paramedics took the driver to Sharp Memorial Hospital for treatment of undisclosed injuries.
