Hydraulic Fluid Spill Forces Road Closure

An Oxnard city garbage truck leaked more than 20 gallons of hydraulic fluid along Gonzales Road on Monday morning, prompting a hazardous-materials crew from the Oxnard Fire Department to close the road for several hours while they cleaned up the mess.

Fire Capt. Robin Miller said the driver, who was not identified, apparently did not realize that the truck was leaking the fluid.

“He continued to drive the truck rather than just park it,” Miller said. “In the process, he spilled a large quantity--20 to 40 gallons--of hydraulic fluid along the roadway.”

The 10:40 a.m. leak left more than 1,000 feet of Gonzales Road and 400 feet of Ventura Road closed for several hours while 15 workers spread absorbent and swept up the fluid, Miller said.

The slick caused a handful of minor traffic accidents along Gonzales and Ventura roads before officials were able to control the scene, Miller said.

“They just got into the spill and spun out,” he said. “But no one was hurt. I saw a traffic sign that looked like it had been knocked over, but the driver didn’t stay behind.”