Major A8 autobahn shutdown after lorry collision spills diesel near Pforzheim
A rear-end collision between two lorries on the A8 autobahn caused major disruption on March 3, 2026. The crash, which happened near Pforzheim at around 7 a.m., led to a diesel spill and forced the closure of a key motorway stretch for hours. Emergency crews rushed to the scene to manage the incident and clean up the fuel leak.
The accident occurred when one lorry struck the back of another on the A8, just west of Pforzheim. The force of the impact ruptured a fuel tank, spilling diesel across the carriageway. Firefighters from Pforzheim arrived quickly, deploying 22 personnel and several vehicles to contain the situation.
Authorities shut down the motorway between the Pforzheim-West and Pforzheim-Nord junctions in the direction of Stuttgart. The closure lasted roughly four hours, with traffic finally resuming shortly after 11 a.m. During the operation, firefighters transferred the remaining fuel into secure containers and spread absorbent material over the spill to prevent further hazards.
One person suffered minor injuries in the collision and was taken to a hospital in Pforzheim for treatment. Police and autobahn maintenance teams worked alongside the fire service to clear the scene and reopen the roadway as swiftly as possible.
The incident caused significant delays for drivers heading toward Stuttgart. Emergency services successfully contained the fuel leak and restored normal traffic flow by late morning. The injured individual received medical attention, while investigations into the collision continued.
