State Police Track Down Truck with Metal Shavings that Flattened Tires in Venango County

Pennsylvania State Police have tracked down the truck they believe spread the small metal shavings that flattened tires in Venango County Tuesday morning.

A truck from McClymonds Supply and Transit, of Portersville, loaded metal scrap at Ellwood National Forge in Corry and was traveling through Venango County on the way to New Castle. During the trip, small metal shavings came loose from the truck bed and fell onto the road near State Route 8 and Old Route 8 in Sandycreek Township around 6:40 a.m. Troopers said the drive was unaware of the unsecured load and traveled onto I-80 westbound and I-79 southbound to New Castle.

Drivers started reporting flattened tires, as well as an unknown substance in the southbound lanes, on State Route 8 to State Police between 7 and 7:15 a.m. Troopers who were called to the area determined there were small metal shavings on the road.

With the help of State Police in Mercer and New Castle, the driver and truck were located. McClymonds personnel cooperated with the investigation, according to State Police.

All lanes of Route 8 southbound are closed in Venango County from the exit for Route 308 (Bullion/Pearl) to the on ramp for Interstate 80 in Barkeyville Borough were closed until 3 p.m.

Drivers who suffered flat tires from this specific incident can contact the company's insurance, Encova Insurance, by calling 1-800-876-8766 and referring to claim number 500-00-009300 and Pennsylvania State Police incident number PA20-331114. Photos of the tire damage, lodged debris and invoices which indicate the tire damage will be requested to support the claim.