Semi carrying battery acid overturns on Indy’s west side, causes significant road closures

INDIANAPOLIS — Washington Street near High School Road was closed for several hours today after a semi carrying battery acid overturned.

Firefighters with the Wayne Township Fire Department responded around 1 p.m. to US 40 EB near West Washington Street and High School Road in response to a reported hazmat spill in the area.

WTFD said a semi hauling “palletized forklift batteries” had overturned, causing the hazardous material to spill onto the roadway and drainage system. Firefighters quickly managed to divert the flow of the material by placing makeshift dams while other crews assessed the pH levels of the battery acid.

Crews on the scene decided to close all lanes of traffic as businesses in the area were evacuated for safety precautions. Firefighters also extinguished a small fire that had started inside the overturned trailer, WTFD said.

The incident caused significant traffic disruptions in the area as authorities worked to get the spill under control. According to the INDOT Traffic Management Center, all lanes did not reopen until 9:30 p.m.

The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, Indiana State Police and INDOT crews also assisted at the scene. WTFD did not confirm if the driver of the semi sustained any injuries.

The exact cause of the single-vehicle crash remains under investigation.