A tractor-trailer crash on I-87 in South Nyack sent debris across the highway Monday and left one person hospitalized after the truck struck a bridge.
A tractor-trailer crash on I-87 near South Nyack shut down lanes Monday after the truck struck the South Broadway overpass, tipped onto its side, and scattered debris across the New York highway.
The wreck unfolded around 12:20 p.m. on the New York State Thruway and was captured on the dashcam of a AAA garbage truck traveling nearby. In the video, the tractor-trailer can be seen moving in the middle lane as it approaches the bridge. Just before the overpass, the driver appears to brake, but the rig continues forward and strikes the underside of the structure. The impact lifted the truck onto its right wheels before it fully rolled and slid onto its side.
The collision sent a cloud of debris across the roadway, creating a sudden hazard for drivers in multiple lanes. Several motorists reacted quickly, braking and changing lanes to avoid the overturned truck and scattered material. The crash blocked three lanes of traffic on one of the regionβs busiest north-south routes, disrupting midday travel on the New York State Thruway.
New York State Police said the driver, 50-year-old Pernell Harris, was not injured in the wreck. Harris was issued a ticket for operating an over-height vehicle, according to LoHud. Authorities said the crash remains under investigation, and the circumstances that led the truck to strike the bridge have not been fully detailed.
βA tractor-trailer crash on I-87 in South Nyack sent debris across the highway Monday and left one person hospitalized after the truck struck a bridge.β
Emergency responders also assisted a person who had been sitting in a Toyota sedan parked in the breakdown lane near the bridge. That individual was evacuated from the scene and taken to a hospital, CBS News reported. The extent of the injuries was not immediately clear, but the person was expected to survive. The incident underscored how even vehicles not directly involved in the collision can be put at risk when a large truck loses control on a crowded highway.
Traffic on I-87 was affected as cleanup crews moved in to clear wreckage and reopen the blocked lanes. Authorities closed two lanes while teams worked at the scene, adding to delays for drivers in the area. On a corridor that carries heavy daily traffic through the lower Hudson Valley and beyond, a crash of this scale can quickly ripple outward, especially when it involves a commercial vehicle and an overpass.
The South Broadway bridge has been struck before. CBS reported that the same overpass was hit in a similar incident in 2023, a reminder of the persistent danger posed by over-height vehicles on roads with limited clearance. Bridge strikes can cause not only dramatic collisions but also costly damage, traffic disruption, and danger to nearby motorists, pedestrians, and responders.
While investigators continue to examine the latest crash, the footage offers a stark illustration of how fast an ordinary drive can turn into a major emergency. A moment of misjudgment or a clearance mistake on a highway can leave a large rig overturned, lanes blocked, and other travelers forced into split-second evasive maneuvers.
Frequently asked questions
Where did the crash happen?
It happened on I-87 where the New York State Thruway passes through South Nyack, near the South Broadway overpass.
Was the truck driver hurt?
No. New York State Police said 50-year-old Pernell Harris was unhurt.
Did anyone else need medical treatment?
Yes. One person in a Toyota sedan parked in the breakdown lane was evacuated and taken to a hospital. CBS News reported that the person was expected to survive.
What happened after the crash?
Two lanes were closed while crews cleaned up the scene, and the crash remained under investigation.
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