Rollover accident in Rifle results in fuel spill

Heidi Rice
Glenwood Springs, CO Colorado
November 24, 2007

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RIFLE - Drivers heading up Highway 13 in north Rifle were detoured for most of the day on Friday, due to an accident involving an 18-wheel semi-trailer that rolled over and spilled about 2,200 gallons of diesel fuel.

The truck was heading south on Highway 13 around 12:50 p.m. when it failed to take a corner and rolled, according to Rifle Fire Chief Mike Morgan.

"It was carrying about 7,300 gallons of fuel," Morgan said. "The driver was transported to Grand River Hospital, but the injuries did not seem critical."

Speed is believed to have been a factor in the accident.

The road between 16th and 21st Streets was closed until late Friday evening and drivers were routed through a detour.

"We see a lot of accidents on that corner," Morgan said. "Typically, people come around it too fast. Maybe this will be a wake-up call."

The Rifle Fire Department, Rifle Police Department, Garfield County Sheriff's Office, Colorado State Patrol, Colorado Department of Transportation and Burning Mountains Fire Department responded to the incident.