Highway 22 remains closed following fatal fuel tanker crash

IDANHA, Ore. – A stretch of the North Santiam Highway, OR 22, remains closed Monday following a fatal tanker truck crash that occurred Friday night.

The highway is closed between milepost 55 at the east end of Idanha to the Santiam Junction where OR 22 and U.S. 20 intersect, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation.

The stretch of highway is closed indefinitely because of the intense fire damage caused by the fuel spill and crash at milepost 63.

On Friday, a 2001 Kenworth central petro fuel truck lost traction on the icy road and rolled over, coming to a stop blocking the highway.

The fuel tank then ruptured and caught fire, spreading to nearby brush.

The driver of the truck, 58-year-old Ronald Edward Sculock from Bend, died in the crash.

The fuel spill caused the City of Salem to use groundwater and other water resources while they wait for test results that will show if their water supply is contaminated.

An ODOT contractor is working to repair the road. The crash impacted about 300 feet of roadway.