Teen Driver Steals Truck, Crashes Into Diesel Fuel Tanker
THORNTON, Colo. (CBS4)- A crash between a fuel tanker and a stolen truck left a large fuel spill on a busy intersection in Thornton on Tuesday morning.
The crash happened at 112th Avenue and Holly Street about 10 a.m.
Fuel leak from container has been minimized by Thornton Fire and North Metro Fire to the occasional drop. South Adams Fire addressing containment of fuel. pic.twitter.com/VMKqLJkUVu
— Thornton Fire Dept. (@ThorntonFire) November 14, 2017
Crews from South Adams Fire worked to cleanup the fuel spill.
Firefighters from North Metro Fire Rescue and Thornton Fire Department were also on scene.
That intersection remained closed and drivers were urged to take alternate routes to avoid the area.
Police in Thornton told CBS4 that the 14-year-old driver of the stolen black Dodge truck ran a red light at the intersection and crashed into the fuel tanker. The owner of the stolen truck was following the teen driver at the time.
"The pickup owner was following and had called dispatch stating that fact. He was advised to terminate following the vehicle for safety reasons but I think that was the same time the accident occurred," said Thornton Police spokesman Matt Barnes.
The juvenile driver ran away from the crash scene but officers found him a few moments later nearby. He was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The juvenile has not bee identified.
The tanker driver was not hurt.
Reminder to avoid 112th Ave/Holly St. Fire departments are actively working to clean up a fuel spill. pic.twitter.com/GtyjWxBfJr
— Thornton Fire Dept. (@ThorntonFire) November 14, 2017
The intersection eventually reopened at around 4 p.m.