A busy Seattle road has been closed due after an intoxicated driver crashed into a construction equipment containing radioactive material.
The DUI driver entered the construction area on State Route 16 eastbound near the Narrows Toll Plaza in Gig Harbor just before 1am (4am EST) Thursday, Washington State Patrol (WSP) says.
The driver struck several construction vehicles and a piece of equipment that officials say has a radioactive core, triggering a hazmat response.
No construction workers were injured during the incident and there is no active threat to the public from the radioactive material.
The driver was arrested for a suspected DUI and taken to a nearby hospital. State trooper John Dattilo says he was told the suspect is ‘not injured’.
Highway patrol has closed SR 16 eastbound ‘out of an abundance of caution’ and drivers are being diverted onto Olympic Drive and back onto SR 16 at 24th Street.
There is a significant back-up along the road this morning, with drivers expected to face long delays as emergency responders continue to work the scene.
State Route 16 eastbound in Gig Harbor is fully blocked after a suspected DUI driver crashed into a construction zone
First responders and bomb squad officials are on scene assisting with the ‘hazmat response’
There is a significant back-up along SR 16 this morning, with drivers expected to face long delays as emergency responders continue to work the scene
The DUI driver entered the construction area on State Route 16 eastbound near the Narrows Toll Plaza in Gig Harbor just before 1am
The westbound lanes of SR 16 were not impacted by the collision and remain open and operating as normal.
Bomb squad officials are on scene assisting with what WSP has branded a ‘hazmat response’.
Authorities have not confirmed which specific construction vehicles were struck in the crash, but did note that one contained a ‘radioactive core’.
Trooper Dattilo also said the instrument involved was is used to measure the density of asphalt to make sure it’s safe to drive on.
Dattilo was likely referring to a nuclear gauge, a device commonly used on construction sites to help workers build safe buildings and roads.
Nuclear gauges contain a radioactive source that emits radiation, but when used properly do will not expose the public to radiation, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The devices use low-level radiation to identify and measure the density, moisture content or thickness of a material or surface.
The EPA notes that nuclear gauges are often used on road construction sites to help crews determine the moisture content of soil and asphalt.
The driver struck several construction vehicles and a piece of equipment that officials say has a radioactive core, triggering a hazmat response. Firefighters are pictured working the scene
No construction workers were injured during the incident and there is no active threat to the public from the radioactive material. Emergency responders are pictured on scene
The Gig Harbor Fire Department says additional information about the crash will be released after the highway reopens.
‘Expect State Route 16 to remain closed for at least a little while longer while we work on getting more measurements from this radioactive material and removing it,’ trooper Dattilo echoed.
At this time, it remains unclear when officials will give the ok to reopen the road.
This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.
