Brake failure caused crash, fuel spill on I-68
CUMBERLAND — Police said the closure of eastbound Interstate 68 for three hours Saturday night was caused by brake failure of one of two tractor-trailers involved.
An Allegany County Bureau of Police report said James V. Keene, 61, of Pocatello, Idaho, attempted to slow his 1997 Volvo tractor as he noticed traffic was slowing to a stop. His brakes failed, police said, causing him to collide with a 1994 International tractor driven by Scott Harris, 55, of Yarmouth, Maine.
The collision caused “severe damage to both vehicles,” police said, and ruptured both fuel tanks and causing “a large amount of fuel to spill onto the roadway.”
The county police agency was assisted by Cumberland Police Department, Maryland State Police, Allegany County HazMat, Cumberland Fire Department, LaVale Volunteer Fire Department and the Allegany County Sheriff’s Fire Police Association.
Despite initial reports, no one was injured in the incident. Keene was charged with failure to reduce speed to avoid a collision.
Police Log
10/19 - Brake failure caused crash, fuel spill on I-68
- Police Log
-
-
Accident victim charged for gun - 05/26
A woman who was taken to the hospital from a head-on collision on state Route 51 Thursday afternoon was later charged by Maryland State Police with having a handgun in her vehicle.
-
Burglary suspect caught in the act - 05/26
A burglary suspect was found by Maryland State Police in a vacant home in the 1000 block of Beall School Road around 3 a.m.
-
Pa. teen charged in cycle crash - 05/26
An 18-year-old motorcyclist who allegedly was doing a wheelie crashed his bike Thursday evening on state Route 26 and was taken to the hospital and charged with careless driving, according to Pennsylvania State Police.
-
Family members charged in fight - 05/25
Cumberland Police charged two family members after investigating a fight that broke out Wednesday night in the 500 block of Woodside Avenue.
-
Oldtown accident injures one - 05/25
At least one person was taken to the Western Maryland Regional Medical Center following a two-vehicle accident on state Route 51 on Thursday afternoon, according to the Allegany County 911 Center.
-
5/24/12 - Cumberland man charged with assault
Cumberland resident Steven Lee Morris, 28, was charged with second-degree assault Tuesday after Cumberland Police responded to a domestic assault complaint in the 600 block of Columbia Avenue.
-
5/24/12 - Scooter stolen from shed in Cresaptown
Maryland State Police are seeking information about an overnight break-in of a locked shed in the 13800 block of Brant Road.
-
5/24/12 - Two students suspended in assault case
Two boys at Fort Hill High School have been suspended for allegedly assaulting another boy multiple times during the past six months, according to Cumberland Police.
-
5/24/12 - W.Va. man injured in DWI head-on in Garrett County
An Oakland man who caused a head-on collision on Underwood Road was charged with DWI on Monday and the other driver was taken to Garrett Memorial Hospital, according to the Garrett County Sheriff’s Office.
-
Teen will be charged with church arson - 05/23
A 16-year-old boy will be charged with intentionally setting fire to the Waldon United Methodist Church on Water Street last month, according to the West Virginia State Fire Marshal’s Office.
- More Police Log Headlines
-
Accident victim charged for gun - 05/26
