An SUV going the wrong way slammed into a gas pipeline on Ox Road in Fairfax County, Virginia, Wednesday, causing a gas leak and leading to evacuations in the area, police and fire officials say.
Traffic camera video shows the dark gray SUV going northbound on Ox Road near Burke Center Parkway and veering into the southbound lanes before smashing into a gas regulation station near the road just before 11 a.m.
The driver of the SUV was hurt in the crash. Their injuries are not life-threatening, according to police and the fire department.
When firefighters arrived, they found a 12-inch transmission line had ruptured and gas was spewing into the air.
Firefighters closed off the road and evacuated all buildings within a 500-foot radius, including an elementary school, daycare facility, church and animal hospital, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Deputy Chief Dave Barlow said in an afternoon news conference.
Washington Gas came to the scene and capped off the gas line to stop the leak.
The SUV was towed away and Ox Road was back open as of about 4 p.m.
Video from Chopper4, which can be viewed in the player above, shows the SUV tilted upward onto the ballards surrounding the gas regulation station. Swarms of fire trucks and ambulances responded.
Fairview Elementary School is across the street from the crash and the Burke Centre Shopping Center is closeby.
Both directions of Ox Road were shut down as crews worked to cap the gas line. All lanes have since reopened.
The circumstances of what led to the crash aren’t clear at this time.
This is a developing story. Stay with News4 for updates.
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