DIESEL FUEL MAKES RT. 14 HAZARDOUS - Wease's Escape Injury, Traveler's Warning In Effect

(10/25/2004)
It may have been a gorgeous day for a Sunday drive to Parkersburg on State Route 14, but it turned dangerous.

State Police said it looked like a semi-wet road left over from Saturday night's showers.

It was not.

"A box truck traveling from Reedy had a fuel leak in the engine area and leaked a large amount of diesel fuel from Roane County to Mineral Wells in Wood County," said Senior Trooper Chris Weekley.

Numerous accidents, most of them minor, caused some damage to trucks and autos.

Mrs. Emma Wease, wife of the Rev. Donzel Wease on Pine Creek and her daughter Jane Wease of Grantsville experienced what they described as a 360 degree turn on the slick highway, the damaged vehicle barely stopping before striking an abandoned house.

They were no injuries.

The 30 miles of Route 14 that winds through Roane, Wirt and Wood Counties was affected. The driver of the truck detected the problem in Mineral Wells.

In some areas the road was described as "slick as ice."

The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources had a chance to pour sand on the trail.

The driver of the box truck may be liable for damage to several vehicles.

Trooper Weekley told Route 14 travelers to use caution. He said it's going to take some time for the diesel fuel to wear away.