OHP Reopens Highway After Fatal McCurtain County Crash

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol has reopened Highway 98 and US 70 in McCurtain County following a fatal crash September 19 that left a semi overturned and thousands of gallons of gasoline spilled.

The OHP said Tuesday that all vehicles have been removed and that all spilled fuel has been cleaned up and neutralized. 

The fatal crash happened Monday between a semi truck and a pickup truck at the intersection of Highway 98 and US 70.

The tanker was on its side and was spilling gasoline into a ditch two miles east of Valliant in McCurtain County, the OHP said. 

Authorities evacuated the area within 1,000 feet of the crash scene and closed the road to traffic in both directions as a hazardous materials crew was removing standing gasoline and coating the remaining area with a substance to neutralize the fuel on the road and the ground Monday night.

The OHP said there is one residence in the area that was also evacuated.

Traffic on US 70 and Highway 98 is being rerouted. OHP said they expect both highways to be closed overnight but they may be closed longer. 

OHP hasn't released the name of the victim.