The driver was injured and an estimated 200 gallons of diesel fuel and other fluids were dumped into Greenbrier Creek southwest of Jefferson when the driver of a Pepsi truck struck a bridge southwest of Jefferson Tuesday morning. The accident occurred at about 9:30.
According to the Iowa State Patrol, Bradley Edward Ruhnke, 34, of Carroll was westbound on County Road E-57 driving a Pepsi delivery truck. He lost control of the truck as he was crossing Greenbrier Creek just west of K Ave, about five miles southwest of Jefferson. He crossed the center line and struck the corner of the bridge. The vehicle rolled and came to rest hanging over the edge of the bridge with the trailer in the creek.
Ruhnke was transported to Greene County Medical Center by Greene County Emergency Medical Services. He was later sent to a Des Moines hospital.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources was called as diesel fuel from the truck dumped into the creek beneath the bridge. Emergency responders placed absorbent booms into the creek to catch and absorb the petroleum products.
The DNR reported shortly before 4 pm that the spill was contained. The DNR is monitoring the clean-up as the Pepsi company and contractors work to remove the diesel fuel. The DNR may consider enforcement action, a press release stated.
The Greene County sheriff’s office and the Jefferson fire department also assisted at the scene.
