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Fuel Leak After Vehicle Crash Closes 2 Lanes Of I-275 Near MLK Boulevard Exit

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By VALERIE KALFRIN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 7, 2008

Updated: 02/07/2008 04:53 pm

TAMPA - Two northbound lanes of Interstate 275 remain closed around the exit for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard because of a fuel leak, firefighters said.

The left and center lanes around the exit are blocked until tow trucks can remove a car carrier and a 2004 Mazda involved in the collision that caused the leak, Tampa Fire Rescue Capt. Bill Wade said.

No one was seriously hurt in the crash, Wade said. The Mazda's driver, John Warner, 22, of Land O' Lakes, suffered minor injuries and was transported to St. Joseph's Hospital.

The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash, which occurred just before 2 p.m.

Witnesses said the Mazda changed lanes, striking a BMW then colliding with the car carrier, according to Wade.

Firefighters and a hazardous materials team stopped the flow of diesel from the truck's punctured saddle tank, Wade said. A private contractor must remove the spilled fuel from a nearby drainage area.

The fuel tanks contained about 200 gallons of diesel but only about 40 gallons were lost, Wade said.

Reporter Valerie Kalfrin can be reached at (813) 259-7800 or vkalfrin@tampatrib.com.

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