The four northbound lanes of Interstate 95 near Savage were closed for up to 3 1/2 hours yesterday, causing at least a two-mile backup after battery acid leaked from a tractor-trailer, Howard County firefighters said.
The truck, which was hauling car batteries, was northbound on I-95 near Route 216 about 4:30 p.m. when the driver, Darryl Myers, 28, of Lancaster, Pa., hit the brakes in an attempt to avoid an accident, firefighters said.
A minor collision with another vehicle ensued.
There were no injuries, but about 50 of the car batteries toppled in the trailer compartment and began leaking acid, said Battalion Chief Donald R. Howell of the Department of Fire and Rescue Services.
"It was a trickle leak . . . but traffic had to be closed off to assess the situation," Chief Howell said.
A hazardous materials team from Prince George's County was called in. Two blocked lanes were reopened about 5:50 p.m. and the others at 8 p.m., Mr. Howell said.
