Deputy involved in south Fort Myers crash that caused chemical spill

Reporter: Zach Oliveri Writer: Melissa Montoya
Published: Updated:
A crash involving an LCSO deputy on Michael G. Rippe Parkway and Briarcliff (CREDIT: South Trail Fire)

A Lee County Sheriff’s deputy hurt in a crash with a work utility trailer has been released from the hospital.

The crash happened Friday morning at the intersection of Michael G. Rippe Parkways and Briarcliff Road in south Fort Myers.

The deputy was transported to the hospital after the crash. The driver of the truck hauling the chemicals was not injured. The crash caused a chemical spill which lead to the road closure during the cleanup.

According to the South Trail Fire Protection & Rescue District, the trailer of the utility vehicle flipped on its side. The front of the LCSO cruiser hit the side of the truck.

The crash caused a chemical spill. (CREDIT: South Trail Fire)

The crash flipped the Koala Insulation trailer on its side and toppled barrels of chemicals onto the road. The trailer spilled isocyanide and resin, which is used to create SprayFoam insulation on the roads. Hazmat is cleaning up the chemicals.

Zack Ogden is part-owner of Koala Insulation.

When he heard of the news, the crash became his priority.

“I was actually about to sell another job. And so kind of stinks, you know, because I dropped whatever I was doing, ran on over here,” Ogden said.

His employee is OK.

The crash turned the intersection into a hazardous situation. Not because of the cars but the chemicals on the road.

“While they’re in their raw form, they’re releasing gases that are irritants to you know, people breathing it in eyes whenever we use the material around it, we’re in something similar to a hazmat suit,” Ogden said.

That’s what Fort Myers Fire Hazardous Material Crew had on when they turned the barrels right side up.

A company later showed up to treat the chemicals with powder before scooping it up with a shovel.

Traffic moved slowly throughout the day.

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