CRANBERRY TWP — State police are investigating Sunday morning’s crash of a tractor-trailer hauling a load of tea that closed a Pennsylvania Turnpike ramp in the township for about seven hours.

That long closure did not cause any major traffic problems.

The Butler County hazardous materials team was sent to the wreck, which occurred shortly before 10 a.m., after fuel was found leaking from the rig and a sport utility vehicle.

Police said the SUV was eastbound in the left lane when Regina V. Maenz, 26, of Pittsburgh, abruptly cut in front of the tractor-trailer in the right lane while attempting to take the off-ramp leading to Interstate 79.

But the SUV hit the front side of the truck, forcing the rig out of control. The truck, driven by 39-year-old Kenyotta F. Thomas of Harrisburg, went off the highway and up an embankment, hitting an overpass bridge abutment.

The crash split the cab from the trailer, which was peeled open, spilling boxes of tea onto the highway. Diesel fuel from the cab also began leaking onto the road.

Thomas, who was wearing a seat belt, suffered unknown injuries. A medical crew treated him at the scene.

Cranberry Township volunteer firefighters were called to assist police and the county’s hazmat team.

The Easter Sunday cleanup effort and police investigation continued for about seven hours before the ramp reopened at 5 p.m.

Cpl. Joseph Sonafelt of the state police Gibsonia barracks said traffic was detoured using Interstate 79 and Route 19, and the closure did not result in any backups along the Turnpike.

Cranberry Township police said the closure did not result in any traffic problems Sunday for the municipality.

Police cited Maenz for disregarding traffic lanes.