Chemical Spill Accident Closes I-75, All Directions Closed Causing Massive Traffic Delays

ALACHUA – A major early morning accident occurred shortly after 6 a.m., on Tuesday, June 20, on Interstate 75 near mile marker 391. An overturned tractor-trailer and hazardous chemical spill between State Road 222/Northwest 39^th Avenue and Alachua stopped traffic in both directions.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), all southbound traffic was routed off of I-75 at the 399 exit (U.S. Highway 441, Alachua) and all northbound traffic was routed off at the 399 exit (State Road 222/Northwest 39^th Ave.).

The Alachua Police Department reported Tuesday afternoon that according to FHP the semi was carrying liquid Styrene at the time of the accident. The accident included two semi-trucks, two pickup trucks, one SUV, and one passenger vehicle. Heavy rainfall and storms occurred overnight, and it is believed that the cause of the accident was due to a vehicle that hydroplaned.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), liquid styrene is a chemical used to make latex, synthetic rubber, and polystyrene resins. Breathing high levels of styrene may cause changes in color vision, tiredness, feeling drunk, slowed reaction time, concentration problems, or balance problems. Hearing loss has been observed in animals exposed to very high concentrations of styrene.

The chemical spill assessment and cleanup operation was reported to take as long as 12 hours to complete. FHP advised motorists to avoid the area until further notice.

Fire rescue teams from High Springs, Gainesville, Alachua County and the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office and FHP were dispatched to the site. The Hazmat team evaluated the scene according to High Springs Public Information Officer Kevin Mangan.

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