A tanker carrying several thousand gallons of gasoline overturned Sunday evening after colliding with other vehicles, spilling about 2,000 gallons of fuel into Lower Lotts Creek.
    Georgia State Patrol Capt. Kirk McGlamery said the accident occurred just before 8 p.m. Sunday, when a “bobtail” tractor trailer truck (one not hauling a trailer) was traveling north on U.S. Highway 301 South near Georgia Highway 46.
    The driver, who was not identified, was experiencing mechanical problems with the truck and was being followed by his wife in a pickup truck. Both were moving slowly, and when the tanker approached them from behind, that driver was unable to slow down in time and crashed into both the pickup and the bobtail tractor truck, McGlamery said.
    The tanker overturned after striking a guard rail and spilled the gasoline.
    All three drivers were injured, but not seriously, McGlamery said.
    Because of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, the accident reports were unavailable Monday, meaning such details as the drivers’ identities and possible charges were not available. Georgia State Patrol Trooper Trey Miller investigated the accident, but reports were incomplete and he was unavailable Monday.
    McGlamery said agents from the Environmental Protection Agency and Georgia Department of Transportation were at the scene monitoring cleanup efforts.
    SWS Cleanup, a company that handles hazardous materials spills, was called to the scene, and workers were removing gasoline from the creek waters until midmorning Monday.
    Further details will be released later this week, McGlamery said.

    Holli Deal Bragg may be reached at (9120 489-9414).