From staff reports
Metal shavings lost from a truck Tuesday on Route 8 led to many flat tires in Venango County.
Franklin state police said the shavings fell from a McClymonds Supply & Transit truck that drove through the area around 6 a.m.
The driver for Portersville-based McClymonds loaded the scrap haul at Ellwood National Forge in Corry and traveled through Venango County en route to New Castle using Route 8, Old Route 8 and interstates 80 and 79, police said.
Trooper Michelle McGee, the community service officer with Franklin state police, said police estimated more than 40 vehicles were affected by the shavings.
“Some drivers were unaware at the time and made it to their destination before noticing any damage,” McGee said.
PennDOT sweepers were called to the scene and were assisted by Franklin state police and Sandycreek and Polk volunteer firefighters.
Route 8 southbound was closed until 3:30 p.m. Tuesday from near Maurer’s Trading Post in Franklin to just above Barkeyville where Old Route 8 rejoins Route 8 while the roadway was cleared, McGee said.
Affected drivers should contact McClymonds’ insurance company, Encova Insurance, at (800) 876-8766 and refer to the claim number 500-00-009300, as well as state police incident number PA20-331114, police said.
Photographs of tire damage, lodged debris and invoices that indicate tire damage will support the claim, police said.
A similar incident involving another McClymonds truck occurred in September 2018 when metal shavings that spilled out of the truck and onto area roadways caused tire damages to more than 100 vehicles.
The materials were strewn across portions of routes 62, 6, 227, 8 and 422 as well as Interstates 80 and 79 over the course of four hours. The truck was en route from Warren to New Castle and began losing small bits of scrap metal out of its bed.
