Guilty Plea of Illegal Dump By Fuel Truck Driver After Three Years

A man from New Jersey, George Smith, 39, admitted to dumping gasoline in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. This happened on June 11, 2021, near Coebourn Elementary School in Brookhaven. Smith dumped 4,000 gallons of gasoline, causing serious harm to the environment and forcing the school to close.

The ex fuel truck driver pleaded guilty to two serious crimes in court. These crimes involve causing pollution and creating a dangerous situation.

What Happened

The fuel truck driver was supposed to deliver 8,500 gallons of gasoline to several places. The Brookhaven station was supposed to be his fourth stop, but he went there first. Security cameras showed that Smith put the fuel hose on the ground near a guardrail during the delivery. This made gasoline flow down a hill into a wooded area next to the school.

The gasoline spill caused a lot of damage. The school had to close, and many animals, like fish, eels, and a fox, died. Cleanup started right away, but experts say it could take years to fix the damage.

The Investigation

The Delaware County District Attorney’s Office looked into what happened. Investigators talked to Smith’s boss, checked delivery records, and watched the security footage. They found out that Smith may have dumped the gasoline to finish his deliveries faster. Records showed that he knew the Brookhaven station couldn’t hold all the gasoline he had. Instead of going back to the fuel depot, the fuel truck driver chose to dump the extra gasoline.

Smith’s truck had safety features that would not let him refill it if any gasoline was left inside. This means Smith would have needed more time to complete his deliveries, which he wanted to avoid.

Environmental Damage and Legal Outcome

The spill caused serious harm to the environment. Many local and state groups worked together to deal with the problem. These included the Brookhaven Fire Company, the Delaware County Department of Emergency Services, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, and the Department of Environmental Protection. So far, over 100 trucks of contaminated soil have been removed from the area.

Smith’s guilty plea shows how serious his actions were. It also reminds everyone how important it is to follow the rules when dealing with dangerous materials. This case shows the big impact that illegal dumping can have on the environment and the community.