Semi-truck filled with beer overturns

A semi-truck full of beer flipped before getting onto Highway 154, shutting down Calle Real at State Street for hours.

It took more than seven hours to get the truck off the road and clean up the smelly mess.

“The truck’s filled with alcohol so there’s several bottles of alcohol. It looks like a lot of it’s been damaged. There are a lot of broken bottles,” said Sgt. Mike McGrew of the Santa Barbara Police Department.

Broken Corona bottles were scattered across the street after the 18-wheeler took a nasty turn.

The truck driver of nearly three years wasn’t injured. He was embarrassed about the accident.

He didn’t want to speak on camera, but he told NewsChannel 3 this was his first time through the area and his GPS directed him to use Highway 154.

A bulk of the busted bottles were destined for Santa Maria but were soaking through case after case. However it wasn’t a complete loss.

Before the beer could be saved, a hazardous material crew needed to clean up an even bigger mess.

“We are not as concerned with the beer, it’s mostly water, but our main concern is the diesel fuel in the fuel tanks, and securing that,” said Battalion Chief Jim McCoy of the Santa Barbara City Fire Department.

Around 10 gallons of fuel spilled out on the roadway. A firefighter was on standby with a hose in case it sparked.

People who live nearby said the area is prone to accidents, but this one is quite different.

“It’s going to smell bad for a couple days but it will go away. I’m just happy that the driver is fine, which is the most important thing,” said Ana Cecilia.

Police are trying to figure out what caused the driver to flip the truck and will determine if speeding or faulty brakes played a part.