BROOKS COUNTY, GA — Drivers were being told to avoid part of Georgia 84 in Brooks County on Wednesday morning after a tanker hauling dirty milk water crashed near Refuge of Hope. The wreck left at least one eastbound lane closed while crews worked at the scene.

The Brooks County Sheriff’s Office said the tanker ran off the road, struck a guardrail and began pouring its contents into a nearby creek. Officials did not immediately say whether anyone was hurt in the crash.

Tanker leaves the roadway and hits a guardrail

The crash involved a tanker truck carrying dirty milk water, a liquid byproduct that can create a messy cleanup when released from a vehicle. According to the sheriff’s office, the truck departed the roadway before the impact with the guardrail.

After the collision, the tanker was leaking into a creek close to the roadway. That raised immediate concerns about both traffic disruption and the need to contain the spill before it spread farther.

The location near Refuge of Hope put the incident on a stretch of road that commuters and local traffic likely depend on, making the lane closure especially inconvenient during the morning period.

One eastbound lane stays shut while agencies respond

At least one eastbound lane of Georgia 84 remained closed as responders worked the scene. The state Department of Transportation was among the agencies on hand, along with Georgia State Patrol, the Brooks County Fire Department and the county Emergency Management Agency.

Those agencies typically handle different parts of a roadway incident, from traffic control and hazard assessment to cleanup coordination. Their combined presence suggested the crash required more than a basic tow.

Officials did not say how long the lane closure would last. Drivers heading through the area were asked to allow extra time and expect delays.

Foggy conditions added to the morning hazard

Fog was reported in the area at the time of the crash, adding a likely visibility problem for motorists. Reduced visibility can make it harder for drivers to spot slowed traffic, roadway edges or guardrails in time to react safely.

Authorities used that backdrop to urge caution. Motorists were told to slow down, remain alert and use a different route if possible while the response continued.

The weather detail also helps explain why officials treated the wreck as a traffic alert rather than a routine fender-bender. Even one blocked lane can create a larger risk when drivers are already dealing with limited visibility.

What drivers in Brooks County were told to do

The immediate advice from officials was simple: avoid the area if possible. For those who had to travel through, the guidance was to reduce speed, stay focused and be prepared for changing traffic patterns near the crash site.

Because the tanker was leaking into a creek, the scene involved more than clearing damaged equipment from the roadway. Cleanup crews likely had to account for the spilled material while also keeping traffic moving around the closure.

Drivers using Georgia 84 in Brooks County on Wednesday morning were facing both a slow lane and a hazard zone near the wreck. Officials did not provide a detour route, but they made clear that another road would be the safer option.

County response centered on cleanup and traffic control

The presence of the fire department and emergency management agency suggested a coordinated response to both the crash and the spill. Those local agencies often work alongside state troopers and transportation crews when a vehicle releases material off the roadway.

Because the tanker was said to be pouring contents into a creek, the response likely needed to focus on preventing further runoff while the truck was stabilized. No additional details were released about the amount spilled or the condition of the vehicle.

For now, the key issue for travelers was the eastbound lane closure on Georgia 84. Officials were still asking for patience as they managed the scene and worked to reopen the road safely.