4,000 Gallons (95 Barrels) Of Jet Fuel Spills On Parks Near Chulitna River In Fatal 2-Truck Accident

 Truck Driver Killed When Two Commercial Vehicles Crashed Half A Mile From Mary Carey's McKinley View Lodge, North Of Trapper Creek 

Spill Near Entrance To Princess Hotel 

(Google Maps) 

Surrounding Area Is Denali State Park; Spill Is Near Chulitna River 

NOTICE FROM ALASKA DEPT OF CONSERVATION 

DECEMBER 15, 2022

DATE/TIME OF DISTRIBUTION:  December 15, 2022, at 1:30 p.m. 

Information current as of December 15th 12:00 p.m. 

POTENTIAL RESPONSIBLE PARTY (PRP): International Aviation Service, Inc  

INCIDENT LOCATION: Approximately MP 133.5 Parks Highway north of Trapper Creek, AK 

DATE/TIME OF SPILL:  December 15, 2022, at 1:30 a.m. 

HOW/WHEN SPILL WAS DISCOVERED AND REPORTED: On December 15, 2022, at around 1:30 am, the Alaska State Troopers were notified of a motor vehicle collision involving two commercial vehicles near mile 133.5 of the Parks Highway that resulted in a release from one of the trailers. The State Troopers reported the driver of the fuel tanker was declared deceased at the scene. The incident was report to Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation at 2:45 a.m..  

TYPE/AMOUNT OF PRODUCT SPILLED: An estimated 4,000 gallons of jet fuel was released. 

CAUSE OF SPILL:  A collision between two commercial vehicles was the cause of the release. One of the commercial vehicles was hauling two fuel tanker trailers. One of the trailers was damaged as a result of the accident which caused the release. The cause of the accident is being investigated by Alaska State Troopers 

SOURCE CONTROL:  The source has been controlled and the remaining fuel will be transferred to tanker trucks as soon as it is safe to do so. The 4000 gallons that has been released was from one compartment of the three compartment 11,000-gallon tanker trailer, the remaining compartments of that trailer and the 7,000-gallon trailer were not compromised.  

RESPONSE ACTION Response contractors are scene and working with the responsible party to develop and execute a cleanup plan.  

RESOURCES AT RISK OR AFFECTED: The spill occurred along the Parks Highway at approximately mile post 133.5 and is near the Chulitna River. Impacts to the river or wildlife have not been observed by on scene responders at this time. The ADEC is coordinating with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and the Department of Natural Resources to identify any potential impacts from the fuel in the area.  

The Chulitna River supports all five species of salmon which includes chum, Chinook, pink, coho, and sockeye. Additional resident fish species are arctic grayling, Dolly Varden, sculpin, and stickleback. Also likely in the area are muskrat and beaver. Large ungulates in the area include moose and caribou and wolves occupy the top predator position. If the spill were to reach flowing waters of the Chulitna, it could travel downstream for about 25 miles before joining the Sustina River which, in addition to the five species of salmon, supports Arctic lamprey, Pacific lamprey, whitefish, and eulachon. From the confluence with the Susitna River it is about 75 river miles to the marine waters of upper Cook Inlet.  

FUTURE PLANS AND RECOMMENDATIONS:  ADEC is coordinating with the responsible party and will continue to monitor cleanup operations.  

WEATHER:  Partly cloudy 22F, wind speed S 12mph, visibility 10 mi, wind chill 10F,  

Mostly sunny, with a high near 21. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable in the afternoon. 

UNIFIED COMMAND AND PERSONNEL:   

Incident Commander:  Jim Enters, International Aviation Services, Inc 

SOSC: Anna Carey, 

Crash and spill is near scenic overlook of Denali and the Alaska Range, about a mile farther up the Parks Highway. (Photo, Country Journal) 

Location: Parks Highway MP 127 - 133

Type: Fatal Motor Vehicle Collision

Dispatch Text:

On December 15, 2022, at around 1:30 am, the Alaska State Troopers were notified of a motor vehicle collision involving two commercial vehicles near mile 133.5 of the Parks Highway. Troopers and other first responders immediately responded to the scene. Based on a preliminary investigation, Troopers determined that an empty methane tanker was traveling southbound when the driver lost control while navigating a corner. The empty methane tanker collided with a fuel tanker that was traveling northbound. The driver, and sole occupant, of the fuel tanker, 67-year-old Talkeetna resident David Hope was declared deceased at the scene. The driver, and sole occupant, of the methane truck, was uninjured in the collision. As a result of the collision, a significant amount of fuel from the tanker was spilled. The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation is working with the involved companies to coordinate the remediation of the scene. Hope’s next of kin has been notified, and his remains will be transported to the State Medical Examiner for autopsy.

The Parks Highway is currently closed between mile 127 and 133.5 for scene investigation and remediation efforts. The closure is expected to last until early this evening. Check 511 for updates on the road closure: https://511.alaska.gov/EventDetails/ERS/2200