The Moundville Police Department reported that a truck driver deliberately dumped up to 2,000 gallons of aviation fuel along a five-mile stretch of road in Moundville, creating a hazardous environmental situation.
Authorities say Alphonso Terry Jr., 58, of Daphne, Alabama, bypassed safety mechanisms and released the fuel along Johnston Street, Powers Loop Road, and County Road 21 to avoid a required disposal trip to Meridian, Mississippi. The spill, which was reported around 6:00 a.m. Thursday prompted an emergency response from local and state environmental teams.
According to Moundville Police Chief Toby Banks, a citizen flagged him down after spotting the fuel tanker leaking while turning onto Powers Loop Road. Following the trail of fuel, Banks located and stopped the truck on Sylvia’s Loop Road. Further investigation revealed that Terry had attempted to refill his tanker at a fuel depot, but the depot declined service, citing the need to first remove the existing load. Rather than traveling to a certified disposal site in Mississippi, Terry allegedly dumped the fuel directly onto roadways and near a bridge over a creek.
Emergency crews, including Hale County EMA, the Tuscaloosa Fire HazMat Team, Corporate HazMat, and the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM), worked throughout the day to contain the spill before expected rainfall could spread contamination.
“There’s always a concern when hazardous materials are improperly disposed of, especially near creeks and waterways,” said Russ Weeden, Hale County EMA Director. “Fortunately, our teams responded immediately and prevented the fuel from reaching the water supply.”
Terry has been charged with five counts of Reckless Endangerment for the multiple spill sites and one count of First-Degree Criminal Mischief. Police say additional state and federal charges may be filed.
Residents along the impacted route are urged to report any hazardous conditions or property damage to the Moundville Police Department at (205) 371-2218.
The case remains under investigation as authorities work to assess the full environmental impact of the spill.
