UNITY TOWNSHIP — A semi tractor-trailer crashed in Unity Township on Monday, spilling 20,000 pounds of contaminated soil from the East Palestine train derailment onto state Route 165.

The vehicle was traveling northbound on state Route 165 when it traveled off the roadway and overturned onto its right side, according to a press release from Gov. Mike DeWine. It was carrying 40,000 pounds of soil.

The crash happened just north of Waterford Road and the driver sustained minor injuries, according to Ohio State Highway Patrol. A local fire department and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency responded to the crash.

The Ohio EPA determined that the spill had been contained and there was no threat of contamination to nearby waterways, the release notes.

The Ohio Department of Transportation closed Route 165 from state Route 617 in Mahoning County to state Route 14 in Columbiana County. The patrol reported Monday evening that the road would be closed for several more hours.

As of Monday, 19,900 tons of contaminated soil had been removed from East Palestine. Another 17,300 pounds remains to be hauled away, according to the Ohio EPA. Liquid wastewater has also been removed, totaling 11.4 million gallons.

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