Tanker overturns in Plano crash, spilling oil into creek and triggering major cleanup
A tanker truck overturned after a three‑vehicle crash in Plano on Friday afternoon, sending used motor oil into a storm drain that feeds White Rock Creek and prompting a multi‑agency environmental response, according to city officials.
The collision happened shortly after 1 p.m. at Spring Creek Parkway and Windhaven Parkway.
Investigators said the driver of a white Mazda ran a red light and was struck on the passenger side by an oil tanker traveling through the intersection. The impact pushed the Mazda into a black sedan, and the tanker tipped onto its driver's side, coming to rest on the curb and blocking northbound lanes on both roads.
Drivers treated for minor injuries
All three drivers had minor injuries, the City of Plano said.
Plano Fire‑Rescue crews freed the truck driver from the cab. He and the driver of the black sedan were taken to a hospital with non‑life‑threatening injuries. The Mazda driver was treated at the scene and released.
Oil flowed into storm drain
When the tanker overturned, used motor oil began flowing into a storm drain that ultimately connects to White Rock Creek.
Plano's Hazmat team placed booms in the creek to slow the spread of oil and began containment work around the storm sewer system. Staff from Environmental Health and Sustainability and Public Works joined the response, notifying downstream cities and coordinating additional cleanup measures, authorities said.
Crews removed contaminated soil, used vacuum trucks to pull oil from the storm drains and visible oil in the creek, and set up portable pumps at locations where oil had pooled downstream, according to officials.
Cleanup coordination continues regionwide
Plano officials said they are working with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and nearby cities, including Richardson and Dallas, as monitoring and remediation continue.
CBS News Texas will provide updates as more information becomes available.
