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Truck Spills Raw Sewage Across I-94, Several Spin-Outs Reported

ALLEN PARK (WWJ) - A messy situation is unfolding on I-94, where raw sewage has been spilled across the freeway.

The incident happened around 8:40 a.m. Saturday on westbound I-94 just west of the Southfield Freeway in Allen Park.

Officer Marco Madrigal said the truck, owned by Stansley Industries, was carrying a non-hazardous load of waste that came from Detroit's water treatment facility.

"The turnbuckle broke on the back of the truck," he said, and sewage came spilling out, leaving the roadway slick and slippery.

raw sewage
Raw sewage leaks from a truck that lost part of its load on I-94. (Credit: Laura Bonnell/WWJ Newsradio 950)

Janee Knight was caught in the traffic behind the truck.

"At some point, he began to slowly but surely lose his load and people behind him began to run over it and lose control of their vehicles. There was one vehicle that had to be pulled out of a ditch," she said.

Authorities said the sewage -- which looks like thick, black dirt after being processed at the city's water treatment plant -- is "a mix of what we flush down the toilet." The stench was described as "horrendous."

Madrigal said the truck's driver was issued several violations at the scene.

"We had no injuries and no accidents," he said. "Nobody was hurt, thank God."

raw sewage spill
Crews literally have to "scoop poop" before the truck can be cleared from the scene. (Credit: Laura Bonnell/WWJ Newsradio 950)

Motorists are being advised to avoid the area. The northbound Southfield Freeway ramp to westbound I-94 has been shut down to help with traffic congestion.

For the latest from the roads, stay with WWJ Newsradio 950 during Traffic and Weather on the 8s, 24-hours a day. Check for recent incidents now on the CBS Detroit Traffic Page.

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