A man has been arrested after police say he intentionally caused a hazardous material spill in Murfreesboro.
Firefighters were called an oil spill at Volunteer Oil Services around 2:10 a.m. Tuesday, just north of West Main Street and Bridge Avenue.
When they arrived, they found opened values on a 6,500-gallon tanker truck and two above ground storage tanks.
An officer shut off the values and the fire department worked to contain the spill. While 20,000 gallons of used motor oil and soapy wastewater (detergent) was spilled, officials said a significant amount was contained.
- Approximately 10,000 gallons of the oil/water mix emptied into an existing containment berm required to contain a breach of the container.
- Another approximately 10,000 gallons emptied into an old railway spur line of dry ground area that empties into Lytle Creek.
- 6,500 gallons of antifreeze and wastewater mix from the tanker truck emptied into an area of dry ground.
- Approximately, 11,000 gallons of the estimated 20,000 gallons was released outside the containment.
As a precautionary measure, booms have been added to nearby local waterways. The area downstream from the spill will be monitored.
Dustin Keener, 29, was identified as a suspect in the case and charged with vandalism -- $60,000-$250,000. He was booked at the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office under a $500,000 bond.
The investigation remains ongoing. Additional charges are pending.
