KALAMAZOO (WKZO-AM/FM) — It’s one of the busiest streets in the county and, for seven hours, South Westnedge Avenue in Kalamazoo was closed because of a collision that left a tanker truck blocking all lanes.
It happened in the bottle neck at the top of Westnedge Hill on Wednesday around 3:30 p.m. Traffic was blocked during rush hour, causing long backups.
Kalamazoo Public Safety says the tanker was northbound near Inkster when a car heading toward Portage crossed the centerline and struck the big rig. The truck driver swerved, his load shifted and the tanker truck went over, striking a third vehicle. It came to a rest just a few feet from the front of a home.
Curious neighbors came out to view the wreckage, eitehr amazed at the sight and greatly relieved that the tanker wasn’t carrying something volatile that could have destroyed their homes, or gateful it just didn’t roll over the curb and slam into their houses.
They were equally amazed that no one was seriously hurt. One of the drivers was treated by a paramedic at the scene for minor injuries.
Traffic was diverted around the wreck for hours while a second tanker was driven into the area to offload the contents of the wrecked truck, so it could be lifted back on its wheels.
Investigators say it does not appear that speed or alcohol contributed to the crash.
Kalamazoo Public Safety did not disclose what was in the tanker, only that it was not dangerous. We heard that it might be milk of magnesia.
