Big rig flips, spills 6K gallons milk

Caltrans crews are working this evening to clean up roughly 6,000 gallons of milk and 100 gallons of diesel fuel that spilled near Tomales Bay late this morning, according to the California Highway Patrol and Marin County fire officials.

Both directions of state Highway 1 were closed as of around 5:30 p.m. so Caltrans crews could assess the scene, CHP Officer Damian Cistaro said.

Officers responded to a report of an overturned tanker on state Highway 1 roughly a mile north of Nick’s Cove around 11:45 a.m., CHP Officer Andrew Barclay said.

Barclay said 6,000 gallons of the big-rig’s roughly 10,000-gallon tank spilled into the street, while the rest remained in the tanker. The driver of the truck suffered minor injuries and was transported to the hospital, according to officials with the Marin County Fire Department.

Fire officials said the truck, which was heading south near Nick’s Cove, failed to negotiate a turn and landed on its side along the highway. Firefighters were able to use absorbent materials to sop up the spilled milk and diesel fuel.

Crews are monitoring the spill to ensure it does not threaten bay waters, fire officials said.

A Sig-alert was issued around 1:10 p.m. for both directions of Highway 1 and was lifted around 1:45 p.m. before authorities closed the highway again for Caltrans crews, Cistaro said.

As of around 5:30 p.m., Cistaro said the roadway was expected to be closed for one hour.