Auto With Hazardous Chemicals in Accident
By Cassondra Kirby, The Lexington Herald-Leader, Ky.
Feb. 27–RICHMOND — An Eastern Kentucky University chemistry professor who was transporting lab chemicals in his car was involved in an accident yesterday morning that resulted in the closing of a Richmond gas station and two roads.
Jonathan Barnes, 34, turned left about 8:15 a.m. from Red House Road onto the Robert R. Martin Bypass and into the path of a Dodge truck, Richmond Police Sgt. Willard Reardon said. Barnes was taken to Pattie A. Clay Hospital. His condition was not known.
Barnes’ two daughters, ages 7 and 8, were not injured. The driver of the truck, Elvin Phillips, also was not hurt, Reardon said.
Shortly after the accident, emergency workers, who had towed Barnes’ car to Hamm’s BP on Eastern Bypass, discovered that sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid were in containers in the car.
The chemicals "had been released in the vehicle during the accident," said Corey Lewis, a spokesman for the Richmond Fire Department. "They can be dangerous, and we weren’t sure what we had at the time, especially with the combination and mixing of the chemicals."
A hazardous-materials unit was called in. It shut down the gas station, as well as two side roads. Officials diverted traffic around the contaminated area, Lewis said.
"Any time it’s known that there’s chemicals involved, we immediately take all the major precautions until we can slowly make the determination that it’s not a problem," he said.
Lewis said crews in protective suits and gear cleaned up the scene. The area remained closed until about 11:30 a.m.
The emergency workers who had been exposed to the chemicals did not appear to have any ill health effects, Lewis said.
Officials said no charges were expected in connection with the accident.
Reach Cassondra Kirby in the Richmond bureau at (859) 626-5878 or ckirby@herald-leader.com [mailto:ckirby@herald-leader.com].
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Copyright (c) 2007, The Lexington Herald-Leader, Ky.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Business News.
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