Iowa DNR Commends Iowa City Firefighters for Quick Containment of Herbicide Leak After Semi Accident

It has been an interesting week for the Iowa City Fire Department.

With the black smoke from the nearby still visible in the distance, Iowa City firefighters worked quickly this morning to contain 200 gallons of herbicide (Roundup Weather Max) that had spilled from a nearby semi truck that was involved in an accident at about 10:30 a.m.

According to a release from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), firefighters worked to contain the spill into a nearby ditch by building earthen dams and placing absorpant pads in the path of the herbicide as it leaked out of the truck. The Johnson County Haz-Mat team was then called to the scene, and sand was placed over the confined spill area to absorb and bind the herbicide until a full cleanup can be finished.

The accident was reportedly caused by the truck sliding off the pavement while driving in the construction zone near the Dodge Street to Interstate 80 interchange, according to the release.

The semi's driver Dennis Andrulis, 54, of Midlothian, Ill., was transported by Johnson County Ambulance to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics for treatment of his injuries according to the Iowa state Patrol.

The semi truck had to be removed from the scene using a heavy-duty wrecker. This and the subsequent cleanup throughout the afternoon.

The following agencies assisted the Iowa City Fire Department: the West Branch Fire Department, the Johnson County Haz-Mat team, Iowa City Police, Iowa State Patrol, Iowa DOT and Iowa DNR.