Remote County Road Closed Due To Overturned Tanker

UPDATE at 3:06 p.m.: A remote county road was forced to close Monday afternoon due to an overturned American Asphalt tanker that lost its load.

The incident was reported to California Highway Patrol around 12:30 p.m. on De Luz and Valipariso Lane in De Luz.

At press time, De Luz Road is closed in both directions, and California Highway Patrol officer Nathan Baer said it will remain closed for many hours.

The rig's driver was headed westbound on De Luz Road and "came onto [a] curve a little bit fast," causing the rig to overturn, Baer explained.

The tanker's load of oil, water and sand -- called asphalt emulsion -- spilled onto the roadway, shoulder and a nearby creek.

Cleanup will be a “big task,” Baer said, noting that the driver's company is responsible for the cost.

The rig's driver did sustain minor injuries -- cuts and scrapes, Baer said.

Riverside County Fire Department Hazardous Materials and Environmental Health Officials were onscene to assist with stopping and removing 600 gallons of the liquid asphalt emulsion that was leaking from a fixed tank on the truck, according to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department spokeswoman Jody Hagemann. --Daniel Lane contributed to this report.