A fuel tanker hit the jersey barrier on northbound Interstate 405 Sunday night, and leaked about 3,500 gallons of fuel onto the highway north of State Route 520. The roadway was cleaned up by early Monday morning, but containing fuel that reached surface streets or followed storm drain pipes and culverts to Lake Washington was expected to take longer.

According to the State Patrol, the tanker struck the jersey barrier at 9:50 p.m., when it was hit by a car. A motorist entering I-405 near the SR 520 interchange lost control and spun out while trying to cross multiple lanes of traffic. Bellevue Fire transported the driver of the passenger vehicle to Overlake Hospital with minor injuries.

Lee & Eastes Tank Lines estimated there were 7,000 gallons of fuel in the rear tank at the time of the accident. About half the fuel leaked out before crews were able to right the trailer.

The state Department of Ecology and Bellevue Utilities Department were called to mitigate spillage into Lake Washington and evaluate the environmental impact. To accommodate equipment for the cleanup, 115th Avenue Northeast where it passes under I-405will be closed for several days. 

Bellevue Fire received assistance from the Boeing, Duvall, Kirkland, Woodinville and Redmond fire departments, as well as Eastside Fire and Rescue. I-405 was closed for nearly five hours while crews worked to right the trailer and remove its fuel.

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