Foul-Smelling Spill Coats Vehicles On U.S. 70

CLAYTON, N.C. – Hundreds of motorists unknowingly drove through a sticky, foul-smelling substance Tuesday afternoon after an unknown waste material spilled from a large truck on U.S. 70 near Gordon Road.

The spill was reported shortly after 4:30 p.m. Aug. 18 on U.S. 70 Business, approximately 250 feet south of the Gordon Road intersection.

Wilson’s Mills Fire Chief Jason Moore said witnesses reported seeing a large truck carrying containers of some type of waste product abruptly brake as it approached the traffic signal.

The sudden stop apparently caused some of the material to spill from the containers. The driver apparently did not realize what had happened and continued from the area.

The exact contents of the spill have not been confirmed. Firefighters determined the material was not hazardous, but authorities have not established whether it was animal waste, septic waste or some other type of organic material.

One motorist who drove through the spill told JoCoReport the material appeared to be human waste, with pieces of toilet paper mixed in. Authorities have not confirmed that description.

For a period of time, motorists continued driving through the substance before the affected lanes were closed. The material coated tires and portions of numerous vehicles with a sticky residue and strong odor.

There were no injuries and no vehicle damage reported at the scene.

The N.C. Department of Transportation said crews initially received a report of an oily substance on the highway and responded with a dump truck carrying sand.

Sand was spread across the affected roadway to absorb as much of the material as possible. Crews then used a skid-steer equipped with a bristle broom to sweep the material from the pavement.

The cleanup took approximately two hours before the roadway was reopened.

NCDOT said some residue remained afterward, but the pavement was no longer slick or considered hazardous. Equipment used during the cleanup also required extensive washing.

Since the incident, Chief Moore said the Wilson’s Mills Fire Department has received calls from motorists concerned about the substance stuck to their vehicles and the lingering smell.

Firefighters encountered the same problem after the department’s fire engine and chief’s vehicle traveled through the material. Moore said crews used a foam car-wash gun and pressure washer to remove the residue, with no damage left behind.

A thorough washing or pressure washing should remove the substance from affected vehicles.

Johnston County Emergency Management was later notified of the spill.

The N.C. State Highway Patrol investigated but was unable to locate the truck believed to have lost the material.

No traffic collision was associated with the incident.