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Tanker Truck Crash Spills About 5,000 Gallons Of Asphalt In Death Valley National Park

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Published Date

July 19, 2023

A tanker truck spilled its load of asphalt while trying to descend Mud Canyon Road in Death Valley National Park/NPS

A tanker truck trying to negotiate the steep Mud Canyon Road in Death Valley National Park against regulations crashed when the brakes went out, spilling about 5,000 gallons of emulsified asphalt and 150 gallons of diesel, according to the National Park Service.

Charges were pending against the driver, who ignored the park's ban on commercial trucks on the road due to its steep, 6.3 percent grades. The crash occurred Monday as the driver was coming down from Daylight Pass, a park release said. The driver downshifted but was unable to stop the truck. It crashed on the shoulder of Mud Canyon Road, about 2 ½ miles east of North Highway.  

Crews worked to cleanup the asphalt and about 150 gallons of diesel/NPS

The driver was uninjured. Park visitors picked him up and drove him to cell phone service to report the accident.  

National Park Service employees responded to the scene to contain the emulsified asphalt and diesel. The trucking company was cooperating with the NPS to remove the wreck and clean up the site.  

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