A dump truck driver was arrested following a crash on eastbound state Route 18 just east of Southease 272 Street on Tuesday.

The Washington State Patrol arrested the adult male driver on suspicion of DUI. The dump truck and trailer he was driving had veered off the highway and jack-knifed into Jenkins Creek between Covington and Maple Valley at 12:08 p.m.

One car driving behind the dump truck drove over a sign that that had been knocked onto the highway by the crash. That driver was unhurt, and after meeting with the WSP, was able to leave the scene.

When the Kent Fire Department Regional Fire Authority arrived, the driver was out of the truck and on the shoulder of the road. After ensuring that the driver was unhurt and turning him over to the WSP, firefighters quickly began setting up a boom made of absorbent material across the creek to catch any diesel fuel or oil that might escape the truck. A second set of absorbent material was added further downstream as a precaution.

The Department of Ecology was also at the scene to help control runoff and to investigate the environmental impact.

Two large tow trucks were called in to upright and pull the cab portion of the truck up the embankment and onto the shoulder of the road. Firefighters used a circular saw and chain saw to remove a damaged portion of guardrail to create space for the towing operation.

The truck and trailer were carrying sand, most of which spilled into the creek.