Tanker Driver Says He Overturned After ‘Swerving To Avoid Raccoon’ On Road

An overturned tanker truck spilled hundreds of gallons of diesel fuel and caused local authorities to evacuate residents from their homes in Cape Coral, Florida.

The crash happened back on November 27th, but a recent police report has just revealed the cause — a raccoon in the middle of the road.

According to WCTV, 40-year-old truck driver Rida M. Bendarif, told local police that he swerved in order to avoid a raccoon in the road around 4 a.m. on Del Prado Boulevard.

Bendarif then lost control of his rig, and overturned on the roadway. The truck was hauling 8,000 gallons of diesel fuel — and more than 700 gallons spilled onto the roadway. A spark caused the spilled fuel to catch fire, forcing some locals to evacuate.

Bendarif suffered minor injuries and was treated at Lee Memorial Hospital in Fort Myers. He was also cited for careless driving by Cape Coral police.

No one else was injured in the crash.


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