Full truck slides 50 feet down hill, blocks Airport Drive

Airport Drive in Cherokee County, Georgia, remained closed for several hours on Wednesday morning following a major truck accident.

A fully loaded tractor-trailer left the roadway and slid approximately 50 feet down an embankment. Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services confirmed the crash occurred shortly after 2 a.m. on Wednesday.

The driver escaped the vehicle without injuries. Emergency crews found that both diesel fuel tanks on the truck were leaking. A Hazmat team from the county fire department arrived at the scene and stopped the leaks to prevent further fuel from escaping into the environment.

Fire officials stated that removing the heavy vehicle from the slope would be a lengthy process. The truck is expected to stay on the embankment for another three to four hours while recovery crews work to lift it. This duration keeps the road closed during the peak of the Wednesday morning commute.

Authorities have not yet determined what caused the truck to leave the road. The driver has not been identified, and officials have not disclosed the specific cargo the truck was carrying. They also have not indicated whether any diesel fuel reached nearby waterways or drainage systems.

Drivers traveling through the area were advised to use alternate routes until the roadway reopens. No exact time for reopening was provided by officials as of the morning report.