CANASTOTA, NY — A truck driver lost control of his tractor trailer Monday morning on a New York State highway, causing the semi-truck to overturn and slowing down traffic. The truck accident happened west of Utica, NY, on Interstate 90 near the town of Canastota, NY in the far north section of the state. The area is in Madison County, between Syracuse and Albany, NY, about 268 miles northwest of New York City.

According to New York State Police troopers who responded to the scene, the unidentified truck driver was driving his tractor trailer, filled with a load of salt, in the eastbound lanes of I 90 Monday morning. Shortly after 9:30 a.m. the truck driver attempted to pass another vehicle on the highway and lost control of his rig as he was moving back into the right eastbound lane. State troopers are reporting that the road surface was slick, and the truck driver apparently fishtailed on the snow covered shoulder of the road and lost control of his tractor trailer.

The truck driver attempted to regain control of the 18 wheeler and apparently made an overcorrection in his steering. The tractor trailer left the highway and flipped over onto its side in the ditch at the side of the road. The semi truck reportedly did not hit any other vehicles when it left the highway, rolled over, and crashed in the area between I-90 exits 33 and 34.

The truck driver was trapped in the cab of the 18 wheeler and had to be extricated by emergency workers who arrived at the truck accident scene. Once freed from his truck cab he was stabilized and then airlifted to the Syracuse University Hospital in Syracuse, about 26 miles west of the truck crash site. It was later reported that the truck driver suffered a head injury, but that it was believed that it was non-life threatening and he is expected to recover.

When the truck overturned it also dumped its load of salt onto the highway and shoulder of the road. State police called in a private contractor who was able to remove the debris from I-90. Troopers were able to keep traffic moving although there were some delays reported and the right lane was closed for a period of time. The truck accident scene was eventually cleared and the truck rollover was not expected to have any effect on the afternoon commute.

The truck accident is still under investigation and no citations have been issued at this time. State police investigators believe that the wintery conditions and slippery road surface may have contributed to the tractor trailer crash, but they are working to determine if driver negligence was also a factor in the truck accident. The truck driver may face charges if it is determined he could have avoided crashing and flipping over his 18 wheeler.

At Gordon & Elias L.L.P., we represent New York residents who have been injured in truck accidents throughout the state of New York and Eastern NY including the cities of Albany, New Rochelle, Schenectady, Syracuse, Utica and White Plains. For more information talk to a New York truck accident lawyer 24/7.

Comments are closed.