Cayce, SC 02/02/2022 (Paul Kirby) – A tractor trailer pulling a Conex shipping container overturned on the I-77 south to I-26 east flyover shortly after noon Wednesday completely blocking the interstate and bring all traffic to a halt. A SC State Trooper who had just signed out for his lunch break saw it and called it in at he was exiting I-77 onto Charleston Highway.
Units from the City of Cayce’s Fire and Police Departments quickly responded to assist the troopers as more law enforcement officers converged on the scene. A quick size up by first arriving firefighters revealed that there was some sort of liquid leaking from the cargo box and diesel fuel was spilling from the saddle tanks of the tractor. Cayce fire officers quickly requested additional assistance from the Lexington County’s Fire Service.
As more troopers and officers arrived, they requested several heavy wreckers respond to assist in righting the truck and trailer. By 1:01 p.m. several had arrived on scene but had not begun the recovery process. Firefighters that assessed the situation reported that the spilled diesel fuel from the truck was run through the storm drains of the bridge, but it was landing in a grassy area below and not on traffic travelling along I-26. The SC Department of Health and Environmental Control has representatives enroute to help coordinate the mitigation of these spills.
Shortly after 1:00 p.m., troopers have not given any estimate as to how long the interstate will be closed. If it is still blocked by the beginning of the afternoon commute, it will disrupt motorist that travel I-77 south to I-26 west toward Charleston and Calhoun County. Traffic is also being detoured off the interstate at the 113 exit or Airport Boulevard. They have set up detours to accommodate that traffic now.
We will try to update you throughout the afternoon as this story develops.
