I-20, Columbia Highway reopen after hazardous material spill

AIKEN, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - A truck went off the side of a bridge at Columbia Highway and Interstate 20 on Tuesday afternoon in Aiken County, spilling hazardous materials and closing several miles of the interstate.

As of 5:30 a.m. Wednesday, all lanes of traffic on I-20 were back open, but Columbia Highway was still closed.

As of 11:20 a.m., Columbia Highway was reopened.

Deputies say the substance has been identified as methyl acetate, which is highly flammable.

One person was taken to a hospital, but their injuries are unknown, according to deputies.

According to new details from officials, the freightliner was traveling eastbound on I-20 when it ran off the left side of the road near exit 22, then crashed between the two bridges running along the Highway 1 interchange. South Carolina Highway Patrol is still investigating exactly what caused the truck to veer off I-20.

People in the area are being asked to shelter in place due to the hazardous material.

The county shared a Facebook post as well as an alert on the CodeRed app to alert residents.

During the closures, eastbound vehicles are being directed off the interstate at Edgefield Highway, Exit 18, while westbound traffic is being diverted at Wire Road, Exit 29, according to the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office.

The Center Fire & Rescue Department says the road will be closed for at least 10 hours.

Columbia Highway is blocked northbound and southbound, and detours are in place.

Deputies urge drivers to avoid both the interstate and the highway.

PHOTO GALLERY: BIG-RIG WRECK

The incident happened around 5 p.m., and there were be closures for some time, deputies say.

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