Steve Lieberman

slieberm@lohud.com

WEST NYACK – A three-vehicle crash spilled 20 to 30 gallons of diesel fuel across Route 303 on Thursday, forcing the closure of the northbound lanes for more than two hours.

Five people suffered minor injuries in the accident just before 11 a.m., Clarkstown police said. They were taken to area hospitals for treatment.

The accident occurred at the Route 303 intersection with Palisades Center Drive at the mall. It involved a garbage truck and a sport-utility vehicle that were both turning left onto Route 303 north, and a tractor-trailer headed south on Route 303 that ran a red light, police said.

The tractor-trailer's side saddle fuel tank ruptured during the collision, causing the spill, police said.

The Rockland Hazardous Materials Team was at the scene to clean up the fuel. Police reopened the road just after 1 p.m.

@lohudlegal