18 Wheeler takes a header in the Fernley Roundabout
The Rest of the Story
Let's give credit where credit is due.
Editors Notes: August 19, 2007
On August 8th, 2007 David Allen Petersen was delivering liquid Chlorine from Sparks to Fallon NV. When he reached the Fernley Roundabout he entered like most do. Three quarters of the way around the circle, between the Farm District entrance and the HWY 50 exit, the Big Rig tipped leaving the cab and load of Chlorine on it's passenger side.
NHP was dispatched to the rollover accident in the Fernley roundabout around 5 am.
So, how do you tip over an 18 wheeler in a 15 mile an hour roundabout?
NHP cited Peterson for failing to navigate the roundabout at the posted speed (15 mph)
Peterson was only shaken with minor injuries.
Main stream media reported on the incident but we'd like to bring you "The rest of the story", and the behind the scenes team that cleaned it all up.
After an initial accident many agencies come into play. These men and women are out on the streets everyday and in most cases invisible to the public until needed. Not to say we don't know that these agencies exist, especially if we're stopped for speeding or are injured. But who really thinks about the fire department, or NDOT or the Highway Patrol unless there's a problem?
NHP diverted traffic from the circle using the free right hand turns that are built into this intersection. Not to mention the citation issued to Peterson for the big-rig whoops in the Roundabout.
Lyon County Fire Department was also on hand to clean up about 50 gallons of chlorine that had leaked from the 3900 gallon load. Additional services were also offered by local paramedics.
Cal-Nevada Towing was on scene providing a little ingenuity and two large cranes to lift the big-rig back into the upright position.
From start to finish this clean up took around 8 hours.
Did they do it? Watch our exclusive video and find out.
