Tanker accident temporarily closes westbound Victory Way Wednesday morning

Craig — A crash involving a semi tanker truck and a Toyota pickup truck temporarily closed westbound Victory Way about 6:45 a.m. Wednesday at the intersection of Sixth Avenue West at Walmart. One eastbound lane remained open.

The tanker was leaving Walmart and turning on a green light, as reported by a witness who was traveling behind the tanker. Traveling eastbound, the pickup truck didn’t stop in time for the red light and struck the tanker, lodging itself under the rear of the trailer.

The passengers of the truck, a man and a small child, were transported to The Memorial Hospital as an extra precaution, and both were released with no major injuries, according to Craig Police Officer Ryan Fritz. The driver of the truck was issued a citation for failing to stop at the red light.

The semi was able to drive away with some damage to the plumbing of the tank, which was empty at the time of the accident. It had been en route to pick up materials from Craig Station.

Craig Police Department and Craig Fire/Resuce responded to the scene, followed by a Colorado Department of Transportation crew.

“A huge thanks to the CDOT crew that responded quickly,” Fritz said. “They were very effective in helping detour traffic around (the accident) and clearing up after it.”