Wreck cleanup backs up traffic

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Police and firefighters respond to the scene of an accident in the Kahului-bound lanes of Haleakala Highway below Haliimaile on Tuesday morning.

According to police, a semitrailer was heading downhill when a car reportedly cut in front of the big rig, and the truck driver lost control when he tried to avoid a collision.

The tractor-trailer jackknifed, with the back end hitting the fuel tank of the cab, causing more than 100 gallons of diesel fuel to spill onto the highway, police said.

No injuries were reported.

After the accident occurred, between 8 and 8:10 a.m., traffic was slowed as Kahului-bound drivers were directed around the accident site for a couple of hours while the Fire Department's hazardous materials crew cleaned up the spill.

All lanes of the highway were open shortly after 10 a.m.