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Hwy 22 reopens after deadly semi tanker crash near Idanha


Photo from the Marion County Sheriff's Office
Photo from the Marion County Sheriff's Office
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IDANHA, Ore. – Highway 22 is back open nearly a week after a tanker truck hauling more than 11,000 gallons of gas crashed near Idanha, killing the driver and spilling some fuel into the North Santiam River.

Oregon State Police say the crash happened late Friday night (Dec. 15) when the driver hit a patch of ice and lost control of the semi.

The driver, 58-year-old Ronald Edward Scurlock of Redmond, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The state Department of Environmental Quality said much of the unleaded gas burned at the scene but some spilled into the nearby waterway, which serves as the drinking water source for the Salem area.

City leaders switched to ground and reservoir sources until tests confirmed that the water was safe to drink.

The highway remained closed through much of the following week as crews repaired the damaged roadway.

Officials announced the road was back open on Thursday night.

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