Here’s when Friant Road is expected to reopen after propane truck crash

FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – A large section of Friant Road north of the City of Fresno remains closed after a Tuesday night crash between a sedan and a propane truck.

According to the California Highway Patrol, the road will be closed until at least Thursday morning or sometime Friday at the latest, as the propane truck, full at the time of the crash, continues to leak.

They say to reopen the roadway, hazmat teams must either cap the leaking truck or let it leak completely.

“We understand the headaches that having a road closed like Friant is causing a lot of people out there. Believe me, we feel their pain. We don’t like to close roads when we don’t have to, but obviously, for the safety of everybody out there, it’s just what needs to be done,” said Mike Salas with the California Highway Patrol.

Salas says there’s no other option, as the leak continues to create a major hazard.

“There’s always a risk for fire or explosion depending on what happens as they’re trying to cap it. So, again, safety is our utmost important mission out there,” said Salas.

Now, crews from agencies around the region are on-scene as they work to find a safe resolution.

“We do have county health, we have Cal Fire, Fresno City Fire, the California Highway Patrol, hazardous material experts out there, all on-scene evaluating it,” Salas said.

It all started with the initial crash around 5:15 pm Tuesday, when CHP says the truck collided with a sedan.

Salas says the man and woman in that car are still in the hospital with major injuries.

Their car, and the propane truck still on its side, remain at the location, unable to be removed until the leak is resolved.

Salas says how the crash happened remains under investigation.

“What we do know is that that car really just pulled out in front of that propane truck. We don’t know why,” Salas explained. “Whether they were distracted, there was an obstruction, we just don’t know at this point. We’re hoping to find out.”

Officials ask if you plan to head to the area of Millerton Lake or Table Mountain Casino, use North Fork Road or Auberry Road for the time being.