Residents Relieved Tanker Crash On I-95 Wasn't Worse
NEW YORK (CBS 2 / WCBS 880) -- A tanker truck rollover in the Bronx Tuesday snarled traffic for several hours and uncovered a dangerous problem for nearby residents. The vehicle carrying dry ice lost control on the New England Thruway around 2:30 a.m., flipping down an embankment and spilling dry ice out onto already-foggy streets.
Podcast
WCBS 880's Paul Murnane reports from Eastchester
The screeching crash was enough to wake people who live nearby, and the cargo reduced visibility on the I-95.
"I heard a bang, like shook the house," said Brudencia Narceda of Eastchester.
The first emergency crews to arrive on the scene feared something more hazardous may have been leaking out of the burning truck. They went door-to-door warning residents of a potential evacuation, CBS 2's Kathryn Brown reported.
Sound Off: Did You See The Spill? Leave A Comment Below
Frank Volpe got his wake up call before 4 a.m.
"They came back about six times and each time they monitored," he said. "They had to worry about the fumes and all that and to stay indoors and that's it."
"It smelled like -- I don't know -- like a sulfur like if you light a match," he said.
Emergency crews worked through the morning, draining the dry ice from the tanker.
"I hope it don't blow up," said Tony Nasta of Eastchester.
This is not the first time something like this has happened in this area in fact people who live in this area say it happens a lot."
"Especially when it gets a little icy," said Walter Molea.
Residents said that a wooden fence and steel barrier have not been enough to stop the slew of accidents that happen with alarming frequency practically in their backyards.
"It twice happened last December as a car again fell down," said Brudencia Narceda.
"It's unbelievable, it's just lucky that it didn't go right through to one of these houses here," said Walter Molea.
The driver of the truck was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. Police said he lost control when another car cut him off.
Podcast
WCBS 880's Paul Murnane reports from Eastchester
