Overturned Oil Tanker Closes Road For Several Hours

A fuel oil tanker overturned at Routes 70 and 571 Wednesday, sending its driver to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. (Photo courtesy Manchester Police)
A fuel oil tanker overturned at Routes 70 and 571 Wednesday, sending its driver to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. (Photo courtesy Manchester Police)

MANCHESTER – A fuel oil tanker overturned at Routes 70 and 571 Wednesday, sending its driver to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Around noon Feb. 20, police arrived to see the 1986 Ford tanker truck overturned on its passenger side in the southbound lanes of Route 571. The tanker was leaking oil.

Police said the tanker lost control on the slippery roads when it attempted to stop at the intersection. The driver overcorrected and crossed into the southbound lanes on Route 571, struck the concrete curb and overturned.

Emergency services quickly got the leak under control, Manchester Police Capt. Todd Malland said.

The driver, Ronald Schwieters, 66, of Beachwood, was taken to Community Medical Center for non-life-threatening injuries.

The road was closed for several during an investigation and clean up.

A fuel oil tanker overturned at Routes 70 and 571 Wednesday, sending its driver to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. (Photo courtesy Manchester Police)
A fuel oil tanker overturned at Routes 70 and 571 Wednesday, sending its driver to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. (Photo courtesy Manchester Police)

The Manchester Volunteer Fire Department, Manchester Volunteer First Aid Squad and Berkeley Hazmat Unit assisted on the scene. Also assisting were members of the Manchester Office of Emergency Management, the Ocean County Road Department, and the Ocean County Health Department.

This crash is being investigated by Sergeant Antonio Elllis and Patrolman Michael Anderson of the department’s Traffic Safety Unit.