Hydraulic Fluid Spill Causes Crashes, Lane Closures In Westport: PD

WESTPORT, CT — Three crashes were reported in Westport Thursday after a truck leaked hydraulic fluid westbound on the Post Road East, according to police.

The truck began leaking the fluid when a hydraulic line broke, and police said the driver was unaware of the spill.

"The operator of the vehicle did not know that the fluid was leaking and continued driving west on Post Road East to Myrtle Ave and Main Street," said Lt. Eric Woods in a statement. "This fluid on the road caused three crashes before we were able to get lanes closed."

Crews from the state Department of Transportation and Westport Town Highway Division were on scene Thursday afternoon conducting a clean-up. The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has been notified, but are not on scene.

"As a result of this incident, traffic on Post Road East has been significantly affected," Woods said. "Westport Police are asking the public to avoid the area until the spill can be mitigated. There have been no road closures, but lanes on the affected roads have been closed.