Cleanup continues after dangerous chemical spill

ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. — Families are still being kept out of their homes nearly 36 hours after a deadly crash and chemical spill in Rowan County.

Thousands of gallons of ethanol leaked into the surrounding soil, emergency workers said.

Now they're investigating whether nearby well water has been tainted.

IMAGES: Tanker carrying ethanol overturns, killing driver

Eyewitness News reporter Tina Terry spoke to neighbors Friday and learned about the cleanup efforts.

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The tanker truck crashed on Bringle Ferry Road Thursday morning spilling the chemical.

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The driver, James Sechler, 63, of Mooresville, died.

Emergency workers said they're certain the ethanol that spilled hasn't reached any streams or creeks.

A remediation crew worked throughout the day Friday gathering samples and started the cleanup, a process that could take weeks.
 
Neighbors showed emergency crews where a nearby underground well was located.
 
"They were able to show the remediation company exactly where their well was," Rowan County Emergency Services Chief Frank Thompson said. "The well is on the side of the house nearest to where the accident occurred." 
 
Officials asked two families evacuated Thursday to remain out of their homes until they can examine the area.
 
"(We) wanted to do some testing of the well and water in the well to make sure there is no contamination and no hazard," Thompson said. 
 
The cause of the wreck is under investigation.

WSOC