Authorities investigate fuel spill in Cimarron River
New Mexico State Police have released details of a fuel spill in the Cimarron River that took place Dec. 27.
An estimated 500 to 1,100 gallons of fuel was spilled into the river after a commercial vehicle crashed while traveling westbound along U.S. 64 near Eagle Nest.
The vehicle, operated by the Fronk Oil Co. of Booker, Texas, had been hauling a tanker trailer containing unleaded gasoline and diesel fuel, when it apparently lost control near mile marker 290 and slid off the north side of the roadway. Upon impact near the river, the tanker trailer appeared to have "disengaged," causing the fuel to leak, authorities said in a news release.
New Mexico State Police, the Eagle Nest Fire Department and Raton Fire Department responded to the scene and have performed an initial assessment of the spill.
Authorities said the unspilled fuel was subsequently offloaded from the tanker trailer and the vehicle was removed from the river hours after the crash.
A federally-approved hazardous materials team has been deployed to the scene to initiate assessment and clean-up, the release said.
Authorities also performed an inspection of the vehicle. The driver, who has not been identified, was cited for careless driving.
State Police are currently working with the New Mexico Environment Department to assess the environmental impact of the accident and to "ensure all is handled appropriately."
More details are expected to be released as the incident is further investigated.
