Bethlehem, PA — November 17, 2022, a truck driver was seriously injured when a fuel tanker truck overturned on Union Boulevard in Bethlehem.

Authorities say the incident happened just after 2:00 a.m. along Union Blvd between Paul and Raymond avenues. Preliminary investigation suggests only that a tanker truck carrying gasoline and diesel went out of control for unknown reasons and overturned onto its roof. The tanker then spilled approximately 6,000 gallons of fuel into the surrounding neighborhood.

The truck driver suffered several broken bones but their injuries were said to be non-life-threatening. No other injuries were reported.

The crash remains under investigation. No further information is currently available.

Commentary on Tanker Overturn Crash in Bethlehem

There's a lot to learn about how this crash happened and why exactly things went the way they did. How did the truck lose control in the first place? Why did it overturn in the road? Was the driver sufficiently protected inside the cab during the crash? Why exactly did the tanker trailer rupture? Could or should both the wreck and the rupture realistically have been avoided?

That's just a handful of the questions that need addressing, but I'm concerned that local emergency services will get too preoccupied with cleanup to answer them promptly. If something went wrong in the big rig--a mechanical failure or defect, a tire blowout, or even something suddenly incapacitating the driver--then it's important to know that instead of just saying "who knows" and mopping up the gas. It's in everyone's best interests to know the full story; will police efforts alone be enough to get it?