Crime & Safety
Rest Stop on Interstate 77 in Bath Township Closed for Chemical Vapors
Random inspection revealed small amount of noxious chemicals. No injuries reported.
A rest area on Interstate 77 has been closed since 11 a.m. after an inspector smelled the odor of hydrochloric acid coming from a truck.
Lt. George Seifert said the Ohio Highway Patrol officer who smelled the vapor coming from a tanker truck was hospitalized briefly, but was not injured.
"He was under the truck and wasn't able to get out right away, so we did that as a precaution. The tanker was empty, he just smelled a little bit of the acid coming from a hose. There was only a little left -- less than a cup."
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Seifert said the OHP was conducting random truck inspections today. The rest area was closed after the acid was discovered. It should reopen by 2 p.m.
Bath Township Fire Department responded to the call to the rest stop as did fire departments from Richfield and Copley.
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