NTSB Releases Preliminary Reports on Teutopolis Anhydrous Crash

(THE CRASH SCENE ALONG ROUTE 40 AT THE EAST EDGE OF TEUTOPOLIS; THE RED OBJECT WAS PROVIDING LIGHT TO THE SCENE AND WAS NOT PART OF THE CRASH)

The National Transportation Safety Board has made available preliminary information on the crash on the east edge of Teutopolis one year ago.

The crash happened on Friday night, September 29, 2023 on US Route 40. A vehicle passed the semi hauling the anhydrous, into the path of an oncoming vehicle. That action caused the driver of the semi carrying the anhydrous to take evasive action in an attempt to avoid a collision. The truck ended up in a shallow ditch along the highway. The truck jackknifed and the tank was punctured, releasing the anhydrous into the atmosphere. 

Five people died due to exposure to the anhydrous and another 11 people were injured. Additionally, a large part of Teutopolis, some 500 residents, had to be evacuated to avoid the anhydrous release. They were allowed to return home about 24 hours later.

Tom Chapman of the NTSB spoke to local media on Sunday afternoon following the crash. Chapman indicated that the final report on the incident would be made available in a year from the incident.

While much of the preliminary information was released by the NTSB on Wednesday, the agency's Public Affairs Officer, Jennifer Gabris, said the final report is not yet completed.

You can review the information available from the NTSB at their website. Included in the information is an interview with the driver of the truck hauling the anhydrous ammonia and an interview with the girl driving the car passing in the no-passing zone.

Here's the address to reach the report:  https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/?NTSBNumber=HWY23MH017

Sarah Quinn of the NTSB said the agency will publish the final report at a later date. The Final Report will provide a summary of the factual information collected by the NTSB, the results of the NTSB analysis and findings, and the probable cause of this accident.