Fuel leak, slick road suspected in 3-car crash on Route 910 in Harmar
Harmar police are investigating a diesel fuel spill that appears to have resulted in slick road conditions that led to a chain-reaction crash during the Friday morning commute along Route 910.
No injuries were reported from the crash, which occurred at about 7 a.m., according to Harmar police Sgt. John Fechke.
A portion of Route 910 from Locust and Rich Hill roads was closed until about 1 p.m. as PennDOT crews worked to clean up the spill.
The source, cause and timing of the spill remains unknown as police investigate.
“It looks like the fuel was there before the accident,” Fechke said, “and, once you add water (from rain), the fuel spreads and it’s very slick.”
Fechke said possible causes of the spill include a leaking fuel truck, a loose gas cap or one that was left off.
The number of gallons spilled is unknown.
“We are going to try and review surveillance footage to track down the source,” Fechke said.
The crash happened, police said, when one car lost control while driving down the steep hill on Route 910 and slid into the jersey barrier. When traffic stopped for the wreck, two other cars hit stopped cars.
Traffic going up the hill on Route 910 was unaffected.
Joyce Hanz is a native of Charleston, S.C. and is a features reporter covering the Pittsburgh region. She majored in media arts and graduated from the University of South Carolina. She can be reached at jhanz@triblive.com
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