The Memorial Day weekend started off with an agriculture waste spill in Clinton, one that covered a portion of Sunset Avenue’s eastbound lanes, near Sampson Community College and Airport Road.
According to Clinton Police Chief Adrian Mathews, officers responded to the incident just after 9:40 a.m., finding animal byproduct “deposited” along the roadway and a truck from Everlasting Branch Farms Trucking Company and its driver at the scene.
The driver, Curtis Gurley, was issued a criminal citation for failing to secure a load. The truck was contracted, Mathews said, by Mountaire Farms.
“The Clinton Police Department underscores its ongoing commitment to holding individuals accountable for littering and unsafe practices on public roadways,” Mathews said.
“Ensuring that animal waste and similar materials are transported safely and responsibly is equally vital. Both accountability and safety play a critical role in protecting the well-being of our community and the surrounding environment.”
Clinton and Sampson County have been plagued with agricultural waste spills for several years now, although it has been a couple months since the last one was reported.
Mayor Lew Starling has been in Raleigh talking with lawmakers and ag officials about the hazards of the spills and has encouraged legislation be introduced to help put teeth into laws that would ensure companies “do the right things” when transporting such materials on roadways throughout the state.
Saturday morning, presumptive House Dist. 22 Rep. Wellie Jackson was called to the scene to witness what had taken place, and Jackson spent time talking with law enforcement as well as the truck driver.
“I take what I saw very seriously Jackson said by phone Saturday morning. It just a few bad apples, but we’ve got to do something about those few bad apples.”
Jackson, a farmer himself, said the agriculture industry holds itself to the highest standards and respects the community deeply.
“As the primary driver of our local economy, the industry is committed to continuous improvement,” Jackson said. “To that end, I look forward to working alongside my colleagues to identify and implement proactive solutions that prevent future incidents,” he said.
One clear collaboration, he noted, is “ensuring that all equipment is specifically rated and covered for the loads being hauled.
“By verifying that every vehicle is properly equipped to safely and securely transport agricultural waste to its destination, we can uphold our shared values and protect our community