JEROME, MISSOURI — A semi truck crashed into a creek off Interstate 44 near Jerome on March 1. It has sat there for three weeks. The air reeks of rotting tofu. Nearby residents are fed up. As of Tuesday morning, March 24, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources says cleanup will finally begin Tuesday evening.
What Happened
The truck left I-44 at exit 172 and came to rest in a creek running directly into the Gasconade River. First responders contained an oil leak immediately after the crash. The truck and its load of now-rotting tofu, however, stayed put. MoDOT replaced the damaged guardrail at exit 172 shortly after. The truck itself never moved.
Why It’s Taking So Long
The holdup comes down to money. MoDOT and the carrier’s insurance company are still working out who pays for what. Local towing companies estimate the removal alone will cost around $25,000. A Rolla-based towing company will assist with the cleanup. MoDOT warns it will be a lengthy process.
DNR says workers already removed fuel from the truck’s tanks. The agency does not expect serious environmental effects from tofu leaking into the waterway. It will continue to monitor the situation and act if anything changes.
Fire District Speaks Out
The Doolittle Rural Fire Protection District has grown frustrated waiting for answers — and reimbursement. The district took to Facebook to address residents driving past the scene daily.
“For those of you who drive by this everyday and wonder to yourself ‘why is this still sitting here 3 weeks after the crash’, you are not alone,” the district wrote. “We have been in contact with MODOT and they have stated that their team is working on it with the insurance company for the carrier. This is a very costly cleanup, and from what we have gathered, it has been a logistical nightmare. We have been given the runaround while attempting to recoup the costs that our department endured during the response and initial cleanup.”
The district also confirmed that MoDOT’s statewide safety and emergency management director is working alongside the Missouri State Highway Patrol and other state agencies on the removal. They also passed along a note for curious drivers: “In case you were wandering, tofu tends to stink pretty bad after sitting out for three weeks!”
The cause of the crash has not been released.
📸 Image(s) used under fair use for news reporting.
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