ANDERSON COUNTY, S.C.
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Anderson County firefighters said the stretch of Highway 20 from Wesley Ellison Road down to Beaver Dam Road was closed indefinitely Saturday due to a tanker crash that contained about 8,500 gallons of gasoline.
Fire crews said the tanker somehow veered off the right side of the road, flipped over and landed on its side.
Firefighters said the gas started leaking out of the caps on the top of the tank at about 8 gallons per minute.
Crews said fortunately none of it ignited, and the driver got out with only minor injuries.
About 50 firefighters stayed at the scene as a precaution in case the gasoline caught on fire.
South Carolina Highway Patrol charged the driver, 48-year-old Robert McKee, with driving too fast for conditions.
Troopers said McKee was driving too fast and not paying attention to the road when he came up on stopped traffic. They said he swerved to avoid hitting a car and ran off the road.
The Anderson County Fire Chief Billy Gibson said this is a scenario for which they always have to stay ready.
"We've had several of these over the past few years. I wish I could say it was uncommon, unfortunately, it happens a good bit," Gibson said.
Gibson said the road would probably stay closed until after midnight.
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