Truck tumbles, makes a mess

Mulch dye spilled on Cortland road; no one injured

By DARCIE LORENO / Tribune Chronicle
CORTLAND — No one was hurt Wednesday when a truck carrying 500 to 600 gallons of mulch dye tipped over about 12:30 p.m. at state routes 5 and 46.

Officials said the dye did not pose any type of hazard and was cleaned up with sand and a truck equipped with a vacuum.

‘‘There’s not any real hazard,’’ Cortland Fire Department Capt. Pat Dales said. ‘‘It’s just for cleanup.’’

According to police, the spill occurred when Eric M. Vecchio, 18, was turning from Route 5 and traveling around a bend to head north on Route 46. Vecchio, 5246 state Route 5, was transporting the dye to his employer, Buckeye Bulk, 5286 Warren Road.

Officer Jason Smith said the containers of dye were not strapped down, shifted in the back of the truck, and the weight caused the truck to tip onto its side in front of Rub-A-Dub-Scrub, 681 S. High St. (Route 46).

Not all of the dye was spilled and it was contained with sand to the side of the road, according to police. Crash reports were not complete as of Wednesday evening, and officials did not yet know for what Vecchio would be cited.

dloreno@tribtoday.com