Garbage Truck Springs Fuel Leak

The Colorado Springs Fire Department said about 20 gallons of diesel fuel spilled from a garbage truck onto the Platte Avenue overpass at Powers Boulevard early Tuesday afternoon.

Spokeswoman Sunny Smaldino said the truck’s drive shaft broke around 12:15 p.m., puncturing the fuel tank and spilling fuel for about a quarter of a mile. Two vehicles sustained minor damage after being hit by pieces of metal while driving behind the truck.

Westbound traffic on Platte was reduced to one lane while workers poured sand to soak up the fuel. Smaldino said some fuel flowed down a drain to Powers but didn’t affect traffic there.

When asked whether the garbage truck driver would be cited, Smaldino said police would decide whether the truck was in good working order before determining whether the driver was at fault.