It was 2:30 am yesterday-hubby was driving.we had just picked up a load in NJ -and headed to Columbus,oh with it.We had just crossed over into PA on I78-there was a car on the side of the road and a slow truck climbing the hill-we were in center lane(as we weren't that heavy with our load)and the passing lane there were cars in it. Well all lanes filled and all of a sudden there was something laying in road.Couldn't go either lane as they were occupied.Had to hit it,rather then hit someone,and you don't bring a rig to a sudden stop it takes a few truck lengths to stop one.Well pulled over, whatever it was sliced a hole threw the fuel tank and took out drivers side step to get in truck.called 911 to get police there and someone as couldn't stop the flow of fuel.fire and rescue should up.I had to look a few times as there were several kids -I mean they look around 16yrs old one was about to light flares and put them out without evaluating the situation.We then called the company that we have our truck leased on to ,filled them on the situation-the called a roadside service to come and unhook the drivers side tank and cap it of and and have it only suck from the passenger side tank to get us of the side of the road and into a shop to get repaired.well roadside should up at 6am-real young kid that i don't think has ever worked on a truck before-but his company sent him-They were told what they needed to do with the tanks,and they would have to pump out fuel of damaged tank and pump in to good tank.And clean up fuel spill-to bring speedee dry.He shows up no pump-1 bag of speedee dry.He pulls hole of leaking tank and unhooks tank and empties rest of fuel on ground.thought hubby was going to kill him.as DEP was there on scene after this all accrued and wanted to know who was going to pay for cleanup.We would have to as it is our truck,there was a storm drain that we were trying to prevent any going down it,as they would of charged us to break up the side of road ,tear up drain and remove the contaminated dirt.But this guy was nice and said he would over look the little that went down drain as long as everything got cleaned up.This is why this company was called.So hubby blocked off fuel from going down drain,after this guy emptied tank,hubby goes to get some more rags ,comes back to that side of truck,and the guy removed all the rags,so all the fuel went down the drain.Could it get any worse well heh.Cop informs us the car that was on the side of the road (across from item in road)said they hit it and blew a tire.Stupid people left the item in the road.it could of killed a car,if it did that damage to our semi.well guy does no how to cap off tanks,was on phone 80% off the time.Hubby said the next time that phone ring and you answer it ,your out off here and no pay.Hubby had to do the clean up for the fuel spill,as if it wasn't cleaned up properly the money would of came out of our pockets,and he wanted it to look good if DEP came back.Just pray he does look in drain .Or roadside would be paying that bill.Well dispatch was sending a driver to pick up the trailer we had to bring it to Columbus,oh-they should be there 11;30 am.It's 2pm no truck there yet,still haven't had tanks fixed to run.Now its 5pm-tired,hungry,swollen,hurting mtx wore off,poor dogs are hot,as humidity is bad,can't get cool-can't run engine.Roadside finally says I need to go to the shop to get some fitting an hour later calls and says he doesn't have any ,and can't get them till Monday.we will have to be towed.So we are ready to kill by then.6pm and been there since 2:30am.called dispatch-can't get any other roadside service as it is Sat. and they all closed at noon.So we get a tow truck company to come to tow us in.well the roadside guy comes back to pick up his tools and give us our bill .The bill was 838.00He said his company gave us a discount it was going to be 1138.00.Hubby said I'm not paying that-he said you have to.hubby said i think you better take that bill back and think real hard what you did with that fuel,you didn't do any cleanup(I did it)you didn't do anything but bring speedee dry.He came back and said it will be 300.00-we paid it.Not that we wanted to pay anything.Tow truck on the way-and driver still not there for trailer.Finally another driver showed up to babysit trailer till this driver gets there.Tow truck comes and tows us to a so-called truckstop down the street from truck dealership-due to gates are locked and they won't be open till Monday.That bill cost us 500.00 to get towed 9 miles.First thing I want to do is get some ice for dogs water,and take them for a walk.I do this.next I want a hotel.Nearest one is 3-4 miles away.Ankles to swollen and can't walk that far,So I figured well i would at least be able to take a shower in truckstop they don't have any,and they would be closing in 45 min.so if we wanted to eat we better do it then.So I'm a sweatting mess,going to sit down and eat.Ate and slept in truck that felt like a hotbox.We tried to rent a car,but the places around here are won't be open till Monday.finally good news-found a hotel 3 miles down road that excepts puppy dogs,and they came and picked us up after telling we had no transportation.I got my shower -it felt so good.tomorrow we get truck in shop-contact insurance company-and get a car to go home.We were in process to go home after dropping the load we had-as were were going to start our vacation.I so need vacation now!!Sorry i was so long winded.Sherry
OMG!!! Sherry; that's horrible.
Absoultly no words of wisdom from here, but I'll keep you, your husband and the doggies in my prayers.
Lovie
Sherry--
That story just made me know how lucky I am, for many reasons. There's always someone else out there who has it worse than me. Sorry, but today, I'm afraid you're it. You poor thing! I wish I could find a silver lining for you...uh....your vacation is only days away? uh...you and your puppies are alright? uh...you and your husband are not in jail for assaulting the dumb kid who dumped the fuel?
Take care, girl.
I've cooled off after the 2nd shower,my puppers,Brewsky,and JD are fine they are sucking up the airconditioning after the heat yesterday,I keep telling they were such good boys yesterday.they truely were.They have gotten extra treats today.Can't wait to get home tomarrow.Sherry