NORTHSHORE — A semi-truck hauling a tank trailer loaded with 6,000 gallons of milk overturned Sunday on Highway 20 near Clearlake Oaks, spilling milk into Clear Lake, the California Highway Patrol reported.
An “undetermined quantity” of milk was released into the lake after the trailer separated from the truck east of Harvey Boulevard and fell into the lake just after 12 p.m, the CHP said.
The CHP noted that “swift actions on behalf of Northshore Fire Protection District personnel prevented the release of any other hazardous materials into the lake.”
The truck’s driver, 38 year-old Michael Weschke of Fortuna, who was driving for Steve Will’s Trucking & Logging company, was headed westbound on the highway when the truck overturned. The CHP did not provide further detail on the circumstances leading to the truck overturning, but noted that DUI is not believed to have been a factor.
Weschke was transported by air ambulance to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital with major injuries.
