Westbound lanes on Interstate 80 were closed for hours Thursday after a rollover crash involving a semitrailer carrying hazardous materials near southwest suburban New Lenox.
Officers responded to the crash about 8:30 a.m., in a construction zone in the westbound lanes of I-80 near mile marker 138, according to Illinois State Police.
A preliminary investigation found that the driver, a 33-year-old man from Chicago, attempted to change from lanes, lost control of the truck and struck the guardrail on the right side of the roadway, state police said.
The truck’s tractor was carrying triethyl phosphate in liquid form that was leaking from the trailer, state police said. Officers on scene estimate that about 100 gallons of the substance leaked onto the interstate.
Due to the spill, all I-80 westbound lanes were closed and a HazMat crew was called to clear the spill, state police said.
The spill was contained and lanes were reopened around 11:30 p.m., state police said.
The driver of the semitrailer was cited for improper lane usage with additional charges pending further investigation, state police said.
