A tanker truck became stuck on the guardrail of the off-ramp at the intersection of U.S. Highway 101 North and Milpas Street in Santa Barbara, CA, early this morning, prompting a swift response from emergency services. The incident began at approximately 6:32 AM when the truck was reported stuck. Initially classified as a potential murder, the California Highway Patrol quickly reassessed the situation and reclassified it as a traffic collision with no injuries by 6:41 AM.
Emergency units arrived on the scene shortly after the initial report, and a heavy-duty tow truck was requested at 6:45 AM to assist with the recovery of the tanker truck, which was not drivable. By 7:33 AM, the off-ramp was closed to ensure the safety of emergency personnel and motorists while recovery operations were underway.
At 8:30 AM, a fuel leak was reported from the tanker, leading to a request for fire services to manage the situation. Fortunately, no injuries were reported during the incident, and emergency responders worked diligently to contain the leak and secure the area.
Motorists in the vicinity were advised to seek alternate routes as the off-ramp remained closed for recovery operations. The incident underscores the importance of rapid responses from emergency services in managing unexpected situations on the road.
As recovery efforts continued, the California Highway Patrol remained on-site to monitor the situation and ensure public safety. Further updates will be provided as the situation develops.