Cole County accuses company of negligence in July 2023 fuel spill

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Cole County has sued a company over a July 24, 2023, diesel fuel spill that occurred in a creek near a farm south of Jefferson City.

The county is accusing Neumayer Equipment Company, from St. Louis, of breach of contract and negligence.

The lawsuit claims that the county hired Neumayer to install a fuel system in the 5000 block of Monticello Road and that it was required to “install certain items at the fuel island in accordance with sound workmanship and industry standards” and to test the system.

The system was installed on July 21, 2023, and a fuel spill occurred three days later, where more than 1,000 gallons of fuel polluted the Moreau River and surrounding areas, according to lawsuit. Previous reporting indicates fuel was seen in a creek.

Sean Counihan, of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources Environmental Services Program, told ABC 17 News in an email that no fuel was seen in the Moreau River, “only the small creek/tributary that traverses the Lincoln University farm property.”

The lawsuit accuses Neumayer failing to “properly tighten, affix or connect a hose fitting on the newly installed fuel line” and not properly testing the system.