08/09/2026
Public Safety Update: Overturned Tanker Truck Response
On Friday, August 7th 2026, at approximately 9:32 p.m., Cherokee Fire, along with Keller EMS, the Colbert County Sheriff’s Department, and ALEA, were dispatched to a report of an overturned 18-wheeler at the intersection of Cross Lane and Industrial Drive.
Upon arrival, responders determined that the vehicle was a tanker truck that had most likely recently loaded product and departed from LSB Industries (Cherokee Nitrogen). The hazmat placard on the tanker trailer confirmed that the vehicle was carrying liquid ammonium nitrate.
Due to the involvement of a hazardous material, additional resources were requested, including the Colbert County Emergency Management Agency and the Colbert County Hazardous Materials Response Team (which consists of personnel from both career and volunteer agencies throughout the county).
Responders referenced the emergency response guidebook using the tanker’s placard information. Based on the recommended safety guidelines for this material, a precautionary perimeter of 150 feet was established around the vehicle in all directions. Entry into this area was restricted to trained personnel wearing appropriate personal protective equipment, including self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).
Nearby homes were located well outside the recommended safety perimeter, and evacuation was not necessary. No leaks were discovered from either the liquid product tank or the diesel fuel tank on the truck cab.
Cross Lane was closed in both directions for just over six hours while emergency crews worked to safely mitigate the situation. The trucking company provided an empty tanker trailer, and the liquid product was transferred from the overturned trailer to the replacement trailer, eliminating the hazard to the public. The trucking company was not affiliated with LSB industries and were only a product carrier of material produced by LSB and had completely exited LSB property where the incident occured.
After the product transfer was completed and the truck and trailer were removed from the ditch, the roadway was reopened before 8:00 a.m.
At this time, no additional information regarding the condition of the driver is available.