SOUTH HAVEN, MI (WHTC) – South Haven Emergency Services (SHAES) responded to a gasoline tanker fire on the northbound ramp of exit 26 (Pullman Road) on Interstate 1-96 in Allegan County at 3:15 a.m. Monday, November 21.
The tanker had started on fire and was found out later to be carrying around 8000 gallons of gasoline. The semi driver was found next to the cab of the semi prior to it becoming engulfed in flames. He was helped from the area by three passersby who happened onto the scene.
The injured driver was identified as Michael Bennett, a 45 year old male from the Benton Harbor area. The owner of the semi was PAC Trucking out of Kankakee, IL. While the three Good Samaritans were identified as Jeff Hunter from Gaylord, Shawn Crittendon who was enroute to the Chicago area and Chad Edgington who is from Illinois.
Bennett suffered minor injuries and was taken to the hospital for treatment. The semi burned for several hours in order to burn off the gasoline in order to limit its release into the environment. Allegan Emergency Management and the state DEQ were made aware of the situation and are working towards a clean up plan.
Work is still being done in the area and as of late in the afternoon the exit ramp was still closed.
The crash remains under investigation at this time but speed is believed to be a factor. The ramp has a posted 25MPH cautionary speed limit and it is a challenging exit structure.
The sheriff’s office was assisted at the scene by the South Haven area emergency services, AMR ambulance and the Michigan State Police.
