Officials: 8 hurt after Meadowbrook minivan crash

Eight people were injured Tuesday afternoon in a minivan crash on the Meadowbrook State Parkway in Merrick, authorities said.

The accident happened shortly after 4 p.m. as the minivan was going north on the parkway, at the ramp to Merrick Road, state police said.

State police Tuesday evening said it was not clear what caused the crash and whether more than one vehicle was involved, but they said there were no serious injuries.

A Merrick fire department dispatcher said eight people were taken to Nassau University Medical Center with help from three neighboring fire departments.

Five passengers, all of whom are autistic adults, and the driver were treated for nonlife threatening injuries at NUMC and were to be released Tuesday night, said hospital spokeswoman Shelley Lotenberg.

It was not clear if the hospital had two other victims who were involved in the accident.