On December 7, 2000, a tanker truck owned and operated by Pilot lost control of the vehicle causing the 8,000-gallon tanker to uncouple from the tractor. The tanker trailer ruptured while sliding across the pavement releasing an estimated 6,000 gallons of No.2 diesel fuel on the highway and contaminating adjacent soils overlooking the Bill Williams River just 300 feet from the waters edge. The spill occurred on the Refuge directly impacting soil, vegetation, and wildlife