SAN TAN VALLEY, AZ – Hazardous materials crews responded to an east Valley Wal-Mart after a driver crashed his truck into a stack of car batteries in the store's auto-center Friday morning.
Rural Metro Fire Department spokesman Mark Cichock said the store was evacuated and firefighters had to extricate the driver, who was then flown to Scottsdale Osborn Healthcare hospital.
Fire officials said the man suffered head injuries and a broken ankle.
CLICK ON THE SLIDESHOW TO SEE PHOTOS FROM THE INCIDENTAcid from the batteries spilled and hazardous materials crews from Mesa, Gilbert, Queen Creek and Florence fire departments responded.
Because the batteries were inside the store there was reportedly no real danger, but crews needed to clean up the chemicals and the store remained closed during the cleanup.
The truck was reportedly carrying pool chemicals.
Pinal County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Lt. Tamitha Villar said the driver's daughter was on the phone with him when the accident occurred.
The cause of the accident is still unknown, but the driver's daughter reported that he has a history of seizures.
