Driver missing in big-rig
eco-impact crash

By Bren Begin, Bay City News Service

March 16, 2006

NOVATO (BCN) - Search and rescue teams have been unable to find the driver of a big-rig truck that crashed in Marin County late Wednesday night, according to CHP Officer Ben Chaney.

The truck was traveling westbound on state Highway 37 near Novato Creek when it hit a guardrail and ended up off the road in a marshy area around 11:08 p.m. Wednesday, according to CHP.

The truck began to leak fuel, which trickled into the wetland area.

The sergeant on the scene estimated that at least 20 gallons of fuel leaked into the marsh, Chaney said.

California Highway Patrol and the Novato Fire Department worked for hours this morning containing the spill. CHP notified the state Department of Fish and Game, and hazmat crews were able to contain the leak by 2 a.m.

The driver was missing when authorities arrived on the scene. K-9 crews were unable to locate the man.

Department of Fish and Game Warden Steve Riske said he will conduct a full environmental impact report today. California has a strict liability law, which could hold the driver and operator of the truck responsible for any damage caused to the ecosystem, Riske said.

The spill occurred near the lower end of Novato Creek, which drains into the San Francisco Bay. Upper areas of the creek support steelhead trout and other native species.

Copyright © 2006 by Bay City News, Inc. -- Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.

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