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Oil Tanker Accident in St. Petersburg, Florida

An oil tanker overturned on Thursday, April 30, 2009, which closed the Interstate 275 ramps and blocks of 28th Street after oil spilled onto the road.

Authorities shut down the road after hundreds of gallons of used oil spilled onto the street from a Tim’s Oil Reclamation tanker.  Apparently, the driver of the oil tanker lost control as he attempted to exit southbound I-275 at 28th Street S.

Andre M. Phifer, the 44-year-old driver of the oil tanker, took the exit too fast and smashed into a curb along 28th Street, according to William Jolley, assistant chief of St. Petersburg Fire and Rescue.  The oil tanker came to a stop on its left side facing north.

Jolley said that approximately 350 gallons of the 4,800 gallons of oil contained in the tanker, spilled when a cap on top of the tanker came off.  Officials believe that some of the oil went into the storm drains, but they are uncertain how much went in.  Sand was used to soak up the oil on the road near the tanker.

The I-275 exit and entrance ramps at 28th Street were closed, as well as 28th Street from Eigth and 16th Avenues S.  The roads were reopened later that night.

Phifer sustained a cut on his head as a result of the St. Petersburg truck accident and was taken to Bayfront Medical Center.

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