A tanker truck crashed on Capitol Creek Road in Old Snowmass Thursday afternoon, spilling fuel onto the landscape.
The accident happened shortly before 1 o’clock in a rural area across from what’s known as the “llama and alpaca ranch.” One vehicle was involved: the fuel truck. Photos show it upside down on a grassy area, possibly resting on a ditch.
Residents in the area say they smelled a strong odor of gas and saw a film of oily substance on the ditch water. The Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office says an undetermined amount of fuel spilled. The truck was carrying 1500 gallons of diesel and 1100 gallons of fuel.
A HAZMAT team is working to off-load spilled fuel and get the truck right-side up. The road has been closed and a 1000 foot safety and evacuation perimeter is set up around the accident scene. Residents can access their homes via East Sopris Creek Road and a ranch driveway that connects back to Capitol Creek Road.