Hydraulic Fluid on the Road Causes Traffic to Slow Down

The U.S. 98 through the U.S. 231 slowed to a crawl this past Wednesday as unidentified hydraulic fluid appeared on the road. Authorities described the event as an “oil spill,” which caused one of the lanes to shut down along one of the busiest roads in Panama City.

Officers are unsure how the spill started or who caused it. They have yet to identify the substance, but suspect it was some form of hydraulic fluid. The authorities received the call around 11 a.m., when the viscous substance appeared on the stretch of road. Investigators are unsure how the fluid moved from Beck Avenue to north of U.S. 231. Panama City Fire Department believe the spill occurred because of a semi-trailer truck.

The Florida Department of Transportation sent a maintenance crew to clean the mess. The crew used an absorbent called “oil dry” to soak up the fluid. The cleanup took a few hours, before traffic was restored to normal flow.

Lieutenant Mark Laramore, the Panama City Police Department’s spokesperson, said,

If we obtain information on the vehicle or driver of the vehicle that left the spill, we would make sure to coordinate with the FHP coordinate investigation and / or enforcement with them as we share jurisdiction.

Fortunately, no one was injured in the mess. However, the spill could have caused extensive damage. Drivers have a responsibility to properly maintain their vehicle. If they do not and cause an oil spill, they can seriously injure others. If you sustained injuries because of someone else’s negligence, you may be eligible to seek compensation. Contact our Panama City car accident attorneys today. We will review the details of your case and inform you of your legal rights. Our experienced attorneys know how to present our clients’ cases to prioritize their need. Call today for a free consultation.